Chabrol - Une partie de plaisir Claude Chabrol once again exposes the French middle class. The focus is on the relationship between Esther and her husband. One day he starts a conversation with her about the benefits of cheating and the benefits of free marriage. Soon they begin to live a free marriage, allowing themselves open entertainment on the side.
After some time, the husband begins to realize that the consent of his wife did not lead him to idyll. On the contrary, doubt, insecurity and jealousy begin to overwhelm him. Inability to contain leads to very terrible scandals and violent breakdowns. The typical French intellectual discussing transcendental issues is unable to accept and accept the rules of the game he has started.
I think Chabrol perfectly understood all the advantages of his script. On paper, I'm sure the film looked like a masterpiece from which fans of Bergman and Visconti should have shuddered. But, straightforwardness and monotony, as well as more than modest work with sound and musical accompaniment, insufficient elaboration of details, as well as the weak level of supporting artists did not allow this film to fully realize its potential.
In the end: a wonderful scenario, which is very mediocrely implemented. If you did that Clouzot or Casavettes movie, it could have been a masterpiece. And in this case, it turned out a monotonous chamber drama with a claim to genius.
High rating only for the script, because the direction is very weak
7 out of 10