Coming from a particularly rich phase of Claude Chabrol's output this is decidedly one of his most absorbing and mesmerising films. Whether by premeditation or accident a man kills his lover who happens to be the wife of his best friend. He cannot live with his guilt and we have two brilliantly executed scenes in which he confesses all to both his wife and the friend! Their reactions are quite frankly as astonishing as they are unexpected. Even though there is no danger of his ever being implicated in the murder he decides for his own sanity to turn himself in....... This film raises the question as to when complacency becomes complicity. Although complacency is not exactly a prerogative of the bourgeoisie Chabrol has never hidden his disdain for that particular class so here he is able to kill two birds with one stone. Michel Bouquet and Stephane Audran again play husband and wife as they did in 'Femme Infidele' and Francois Perier the friend. Their performances are exemplary with Audran picking up a BAFTA. Bouquet as always achieves the most by doing the least. Chabrol has adapted the novel of Edouard Atiyah and has the tried and trusted Jean Rabier behind the camera with Pierre Jansen as composer. This is a gripping and deeply disquieting film the final scene of which is unforgettable.
Review of Just Before Nightfall
