Review of Chabrol's Les Biches

This was the first Claude Chabrol film that I have seen. I have seen a lot of Godard. One Varda, Cleo cinq au sept, but little else of the French Nouvelle Vague. I enjoyed this film. Most of all because of it's sensuality and display of sexuality. Yet the cruelty of the lead character was painfully obvious. It reminded me of a Kristen Scott Thomas film. It is one where she is brutally murdered by a corporate underling. In fact the hallway scene from this film, Les Biches, is remarkably similar to the scene from the Scott Thomas film. I would hazard a guess that it is a homage to Chabrol's film. A well deserved salute to Chabrol.

The film develops slowly. As with Le Beau Serge, Chabrol seems to develop his film narratives. This one is, perhaps more visually sumptuous given the regal setting of St. Tropez in the South of France. The swinging sixties are in full display. She is with her female lover. There is a gay couple that lives in the house. Drinks flow freely. It is a great time to be alive. And, of course, rich and living in the South of France.

Yet there is trouble lurking. I guess now is the time to remember when your family told you to avoid crazy street people, because that is exactly what the artist in this picture turns out to be. She is schizophrenic and obsessed with her former lover. I did feel sympathy for the spurned lover. She fell in love with a man from the party, slept with him, only to have him stolen away by the rich lesbian. Or faux lesbian. Or bisexual. Whatever you would like to call her. She proves to be a very dastardly bitch. How could she? The narrative climbs along. Slowly we see the two lovers grow deeper in love. Slowly she turns her back on her former lesbian life. Slowly we see the jilted lover becoming more and more obsessed. She eyeballs the antique knife. It becomes obvious what may happen next. Until it does.

I thought the story in this film was very strong. It has been said that Chabrol is a master of suspense. I suppose one could compare him to Hitchcock, which after this film would be a due compliment. Yet, this is the first film I have seen of Chabrol that is suspense. Le Beau Serge is somewhat of a suspense film. This one clearly marks a development point for Chabrol. At least as far as I know. It is also clear that this film was more expensive. The women are much prettier than the men from his previous films. The sets are better. The camera is freer and more creative. I don't know how much this cost, but I would guess it was more than Le Beau Serge. I have yet to see Les Cousins or any of Chabrol's films, but I will watch them, and will blog. Sayonara!