Blogging Grimaces Many of Chabrol's films have a very interesting atmosphere. It’s an atmosphere of danger in a world that is showing its well-being and trying to convince you that there is no danger. Why from the very beginning, when we get into the house of a successful TV presenter, a house, beautifully furnished, where there are many pleasant educated people, we immediately become uncomfortable?
This house is like a house with ghosts from standard horror movies, while there are no ghosts or even a hint of them. Chabrol masterfully creates tension without showing anything frightening. Of course, Philippe Noiret is amazing. His face smiles politely and affablely, but his eyes have a strange metallic cold. This cold from his eyes spreads throughout the house. It seems like you can't hide from him. In this house you can not warm the warmth of the family.
Chabrol creates a detective mood in a story in which there are no external signs of a detective. No murder to solve, no killer to look for, no victim. But we still want to solve an important mystery.
And yet the crime is conceived. The method of removing obstacles is frightening and enchanting at the same time. The victim is deprived not of life, but of will. From the unfortunate goddaughter, the thirst for life is systematically etched out for a long time. What an unusual and nightmarish reception. TV presenter, many years working with people, realized that they only need to be led by the nose. He just puts his knowledge into practice.
Beautiful image. We are all TV viewers, whose TV takes away the desire to think, to be interested in real life. We don't mind. The film ends with a happy ending. The girl is saved, love triumphs. But Leganier's final monologue brings us back to his home. No, we didn't get out of the glossy sleepy darkness. We no longer know where the face is, where the mask is. This, however, suits us well.
9 out of 10