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Border Line
1992 Drama / Thriller
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Credits
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Director: Danièle Dubroux
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Script: Danièle Dubroux
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Photo: Fabio Conversi
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Music: Jean-Marie Sénia
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Cast: Danièle Dubroux (Hélène),
David Léotard (Julien),
André Dussollier (Alexandre),
Jacques Nolot (Georges Birsky),
Manuela Gourary (Irène),
Marie-Christine Questerbert (Rachel),
Linda de Nazelle (Deborah),
William Doherty (Craig Osborn),
Michel Dautricourt (Le détective),
Fouad Njeim (L'ami de Julien)
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Country: France / Switzerland
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Language: French
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Runtime: 90 min
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Summary
Hélène, a middle-aged woman who has been married for over 20 years, decides
to visit her former lover. She learns that he has recently died and that his son,
Julien, is living in his apartment. Despite the difference in their ages, Hélène
and Julien are strongly attracted to one another and begin an intense love affair.
However, as their relationship develops, Hélène becomes increasingly convinced
that Julien is her own son. As she tries to obtain the evidence she needs to prove
the genetic link, those around her, including her husand Alexandre, suspect that Hélène
is starting to lose her mind...
Review
Danièle Dubroux wrote, directed and starred in this profoundly disturbing portrait
of one woman’s gradual descent into insanity. The quality of the direction, acting
and camera work make this a compelling and haunting work, which straddles the borderline
between drama and psychological thriller. The film’s impact is perhaps compromised
by the ambiguity surrounding the central character - we never really get to understand
what prompts Hélène to behave in way she does, and there appears to be so
much that is left unexplained. Yet, in a way, this adds to the film’s appeal and
sense of mystery. After all, insanity is something which cannot always be rationalised.
And, as the film shows, the dividing line between sanity and insanity is worryingly thin....
© James Travers 2003
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