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Credits
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Summary
A wealthy actress, Madame Lelievre, hires
a young woman, Sophie, to work in her house as a maid for her family.
Whilst the new maid appears to excel in her job, the actress's husband
and her children sense there is something very wrong with Sophie.
Their unease grows when Sophie strikes up a friendship with the local post-mistress,
whom Monsieur Lelievre suspects of opening his personal mail. The
situation worsens when Sophie's disability is revealed and the Lelievre's
finally lose patience with her. The scene is set for a truly
horrific dénouement...
Review
This is a chilling thriller-drama from one of France's most acclaimed
directors, and stars three very talented actresses. Based on a Ruth
Rendell novel, A judgement in stone, the mood is very much of a
Stephen King thriller, and the "Grand Guignolesque" conclusion is in no way a
disappointment.
The most haunting scenes are those where Sophie desperately struggles against her reading disability. By contrast, the scenes where she is playing around with the post-mistress are almost light-hearted, albeit tinged with black humour. Isabelle Huppert and Sandrine Bonnaire are superbly cast in their respective roles as the anarchist post-mistress and the spooky Sophie. Claude Chabrol's direction is up to the usual high standard. He manages to play off comic situations and the gentler, tender moments against the drama with great ease and accomplishment. All of the characters, even the children (one of whom is played by rising star Virgine Ledoyen), appear well-rounded and sympathetic. Overall, an exceptionally
well-made thriller with some great performances and a climax you will
not forget in a hurry...
© James Travers 1999 |
Buy this film: 
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