Sometimes you watch a film or movie that resonates strongly
and triggers something within you that makes it hard to look
away or forget it. It is similar to a really satisfying read
that you can't put down. This past weekend I looked at such
a film.
In researching it I discovered there is an American version
titled 'A Girl Cut in Two', but if for any reason you can
not view it in its original French version, don't bother.
You will miss out on all those nuances, rhythms and pathos.
Nouvelle Vague master auteur Claude Chabrol ('Madame Bovary',
'The Blood of Others') balances subtle stabs of humor and
biting class criticism to explore a love story and the seedier
side of the haute bourgeois. 'La Fille Coupée en Deux' (2007),
is a present-day French drama whose climax is loosely based
on a real life incident from 1906.
Gabrielle Deneige (Ludivine Sagnier 'Swimming Pool' a delicious
ingenue) is an ambitious, independent, local TV station weather
girl with a future: she is self-confident, self-possessed and
destined for rapid promotion.
In Lyon, on successive days, she meets two men of high status
and begins an affair with one, a renowned, middle-aged author
named Charles Saint-Denis (François Berléand 'The Transporter'),
after the pair meet by chance at the TV studio where she's
employed. Despite the significant age gap and the fact that
Charles is still happily married to his wife of 25 years Dona
(Valeria Cavalli 'Coco Chanel'), he continues his affair with
Gabrielle and gradually initiates her into a shady world of
high-class sex clubs.
Meanwhile, obnoxious, ultra-rich pharmaceutical heir Paul
Gaudens (Benoît Magimel 'The Piano Teacher') becomes increasingly
obsessed with Gabrielle and is furious to discover her affair
with Charles, towards whom he harbors an irrational hatred.
Both are attracted to her and both have flaws immediately
evident: Charles, who is married, can be dismissive; Paul can
be possessive and threatening. There is as well an unspoken
past between the two men which heightens tensions, and though
she's initially certain of her love for one of them, the see-saw
demands and whims of both men keep confusing and darkening
matters. She is torn and before long is encountering emotional
and societal forces well beyond her control, inexorably leading
to a shocking clash of violence and passion. To the dismay of
one, Gabrielle chooses the other.
Ludivine Sagnier is great as Gabrielle and she has surprisingly
strong chemistry with Berleand, despite the whole age gap thing.
In addition, Berleand is perfectly cast as Charles, while there's
strong support from Magimel and from '80s sexpot Mathilda May
('The Jackal' 1997) as the mysterious, alluring Capucine, whose
appearances are all too brief.
Chabrol's films are frequently referred to as Hitchcockian
and there's a definite trace of old Alfred here, particularly
in the obsessive nature of the relationships and the way in
which the script hints at something much darker occurring
behind the scenes. The film is also strongly reminiscent of
'Secretary' (James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal) notably in
the way that Saint-Denis' repeated humiliation of Gabrielle
only serves to intensify their relationship. He creates an
extraordinarily intense, frequently uncomfortable atmosphere
that works brilliantly - indeed, the air is so thick with
obsession and desire that you can practically taste it. That
said, the abrupt climax, while suitably shocking and undeniably
fitting, is vaguely unsatisfactory in a way you can't quite
put your finger on.
In short, enjoyably dark, superbly acted French drama that
proves veteran director Claude Chabrol hasn't lost his touch.
'La Fille Coupée en Deux' is an engaging, powerfully intense
drama with outstanding performances from Sagnier and Berleand.
* Reviewed August 15, 2010
with help from I.M.D.B.
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