Agreed. The film's focus is mostly on him and his behaviour in light of the affair gives a depth to his character and interesting perspective on his relationship with his wife.
Glad to hear you say that! I've recently uploaded his bio if you're interested.
I've read you criticisng Audran before. Why do you dislike her so much? I don't see her a bad actress.
How many times have you seen her? Because you know, it also took me some time to fully realize her lack of range. I'd dare say that a Cyberman from "Doctor Who" has a wider emotional range than her.
To proceed in order:
I first saw her in "Brideshead Revisited" where he played Laurence Olivier's Italian mistress in Venice. Weird casting choice, but I didn't really have any opinion whatsoever on her work. Maybe she was hard to judge because of her terrible English.
I think next time I saw her was in "Le Charme Discret de la Bourgeoisie", where she played the bored, glacial lady who doesn't have the slightest emotional reaction not even when hearing a soldier confessing murdering or finding people celebrating a funeral in a restaurant. I was actually mislead to believe that this iciness was an acting choice and that she had given a good performance! This was before I realized that she was like that in all of her movies of course.
"Les biches", "Le boucher", "La femme infidèle", "Juste avant la nuit".. I soon realized that she was basically giving the same performance in
all her films, with her husband tailor-making these roles for her, so that she didn't have to express any human feeling. But even if these are some of the movies where she arguably caused less damage, I never found her really convincing either. Okay, her characters usually have a dubious moral code and are involved in murders and similar events without having to struggle with their conscience, but she never really seems able to express the slightest surprise or sense or preoccupation or anything. She just stays there, in a cryogenic state, with this empty stare.. I think John Simon was spot on when he pertinently called her expression "the vacuous, far-off gaze of a blind explorer" in his review of "Les biches". I think this acting style made her a truly catastrophic choice in any movie where she had to play a sympathetic character: one of the most infamous examples has to be "la Rupture", where she doesn't have the slighest reaction not even when she sees her little son being thrown around the room by her mentally disturbed husband or when she hears from the doctors that he's in critical conditions. She has a similar "apathetic coma" moment in Chabrol's WW2 drama "La ligne du demarcation" when Nazi officers enter her flat at night and her husband commits suicide and.. it's that empty stare again. We have a similar situation in "Le cri du coeur" where her son has an accident that leaves him crippled and she appears to cheer him up, looking as relaxed as she was coming from a beauty salon.
I also don't like her way of talking: she always seems to drawl every vocal for half an hour and regularly puts these "aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh" or "oooooooooohhhhhh" between sentences, like she has no training at all. I can't believe she attended the same theatre class as Trintignant, Delphine Seyrig, Michael Lonsdale, Laurent Terzieff and people of this kind. But I believe that this would bother someone who isn't an habitual French speaker much less.
But I believe that, when she tries to emote, the results are even worse: I know that it may sound hyperbolic, but I'm genuinely convinced that her performance in "Folies Bourgeoises" is the worst I've ever seen from a name actor. I wouldn't really recommend you to see the movie, but if you ever will, you may tell me what you thought about it. But there actually some much better Audran-Chabrol collaborations to check actually. Maybe you won't have any problem with Stéphane. Since I've seen her in 50 movies (and TV productions) or so, I obviously made my mind about my feelings about her.
I think American composer and diarist Ned Rorem gave the best description of Audran as possible:
I've always enjoyed Chabrol movies, but not until "La Rupture" was I struck by how dumb they are. Which is not to put them down. But they do follow formulas which aren't intelligent so much as abstract: frames fitted around an actress, always the same, his wife. Film after film features Stéphane Audran in identical situations to which she reacts identically, icy in the heat, cold-blooded before hot blood. Of all his dumb films, this is Chabrol's dumbest. Suddenly we find that Audran can't act her way out of a paper bag. Like Faye Dunaway, she is so wondrously fake, so fair of face, elegant of posture and so carefully posed, that we don't realize that she' not "interpreting", but merely moving from stance to stance like a mannequin.Chabrol's collaborations with Huppert are as yet unexplored territory for me but they will be explored as I find Chabrol intriguing and Isabelle (if I might be so bold!) is my favourite female actor.
What a wonderful choice! I think you should definitely see "La Cérémonie" and "Une affaire des femmes" then, I believe they're two of Isabelle's most outstanding achievements!
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PoppyTransfusion
11 years ago
I've recently uploaded his bio if you're interested
The actor's bio? I'll check it out after this post.
I've seen Audran in 3 Chabrol films only so I defer to your opinion of her. I was curious to know more about your response. I liked her in Le Boucher and think her coolness suited the character and her sufferings in the film.
But I believe that, when she tries to emote, the results are even worse: I know that it may sound hyperbolic, but I'm genuinely convinced that her performance in "Folies Bourgeoises" is the worst I've ever seen from a name actor. I wouldn't really recommend you to see the movie, but if you ever will, you may tell me what you thought about it.
I'm going to have to try and see it now!
Don't you think the quote from Ned Rorem is a little unfair? Chabrol's films may be simple and hence dumb in plot but there's quite a lot that goes on beneath the surface. Often there's a lot of 'emotional' perversity in them. The worst Chabrol I've seen thus far was Pleasure Party. I disliked the couple and found the scene in the graveyard in the aftermath of the man murdering his wife to be ridiculous and hilarious!
Does Ms Huppert outdo her performance in La Pianiste in either (or both) La Ceremonie and Une Affair des Femmes? If so then they are must-sees. Ms Huppert is gracing the London Film Festival with her presence as her film Abuse of Weakness, directed by Breillat, premiers at the festival. In the first round I've been unable to secure tickets but there's a second round during which I'm hoping I might be successful. I'd love to see and hear her at a Q/A.
Why do you refuse to remember me?
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MrEdnablackadder
11 years ago
I've seen Audran in 3 Chabrol films only so I defer to your opinion of her. I was curious to know more about your response. I liked her in Le Boucher and think her coolness suited the character and her sufferings in the film.
Le Boucher, La femme infidèle and..? If, as I can imagine, it was another of Chabrol's most acclaimed titles, you probably saw her in her most tolerable form. I think she probably put more effort than ever in "Le Boucher", but I couldn't buy her for a second as a primary school teacher who had locked herself in such an isolated place because of a broken heart. Not with all those femme fatale mannerisms, keeping her cigarette in her mouth for five consecutive minutes without ever touching it. Again, I found her too cold to be involved with her dramas. There was another exaple of the empty stare immediately when she finds the dead woman. Or when she talks to the cops. Look a bit concerned at least, Stéphane!
Don't you think the quote from Ned Rorem is a little unfair? Chabrol's films may be simple and hence dumb in plot but there's quite a lot that goes on beneath the surface. Often there's a lot of 'emotional' perversity in them.
Well, yeah, it may sound a bit harsh, but I don't think he means it in a negative way either, since he actually admits that he always enjoyed them. But have you seen "La Rupture"? I think that was
really dumb.
The worst Chabrol I've seen thus far was Pleasure Party.
Then I assume that "Folies Bourgeoises" isn't the only skeleton in his closet you aren't familiar with! Seriously, I couldn't believe it when I started to come across to certain movies he did. The "Agent Tiger" movies are almost worthy of Ed Wood.
Does Ms Huppert outdo her performance in La Pianiste in either (or both) La Ceremonie and Une Affair des Femmes?
Well, that's hard to say, it's very subjective. I consider her work in "La Pianiste" to be her very best performance. But those two I mentioned are pretty much on the same level I think. "La Cérémonie" isn't Isabelle-centred as the other two since she forms a duo with the equally mesmerizing Sandrine Bonnaire (one of the best duos ever I might add ). She won her only (!) César for her work in that. And a Volpi Cup tied with Sandrine. She won the Volpi Cup for "Affaire" too. She owes a lot to Chabrol! Although not nearly as much as Audran does. :-)
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PoppyTransfusion
11 years ago
Just been checking Audran's filmography and can't recall which other Chabrol film I've seen here in, if at all. Perhaps, as I have a box set of his films with more to watch, I've seen her name in one of those films and clocked it as 'seen'. I might agree to disagree with you on her in Le Boucher but I'd like to see it again before I do so. :) I didn't realise she was married to Trintignant. Thanks for the link and reference of his autobiography btw. I haven't listened to the link you posted yet but will.
I haven't seen La Rupture. It's on my watchlist.
I've seen Sandrine Bonnaire in only one film (Monsieur Hire) though Vagabond is on my watchlist. It's hard to judge from one film alone but she hasn't mesmerised yet, unlike Isabelle.
Why do you refuse to remember me?
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MrEdnablackadder
11 years ago
Just been checking Audran's filmography and can't recall which other Chabrol film I've seen here in, if at all. Perhaps, as I have a box set of his films with more to watch, I've seen her name in one of those films and clocked it as 'seen'.
Do you have one of the two Chabrol collections from Arrow Films? The first boxset is very Audran-heavy, which is arguably the reason it doesn't include many personal favorites. :-)
Along with "Le boucher" and "La femme infidèle", the first one has "Juste avant la nuit", "Les biches" and "Les noces rouges" with Stéphane. Well, I actually like 3/5, it's only the last two I don't really care for. The second boxset has "La Rupture" and "Cop Au Vin", where she's very over the top for a change and absolutely grotesque I thought. But there's a brilliant Bouquet in it.
Have you read Michel's bio yet? If you haven't, I should have warned you that my analysis of "Juste avan la nuit" gives away a few plot points. Although we both know that surprising twists aren't really what make Chabrol's films.
I've seen Sandrine Bonnaire in only one film (Monsieur Hire) though Vagabond is on my watchlist. It's hard to judge from one film alone but she hasn't mesmerised yet, unlike Isabelle.
Well, she wasn't the most magnetic of femmes fatales in M.Hire, although I think she was exactly what the movie needed. Apart from "Vagabond", I would recommend Pialat's "A Nos Amours", Chabrol's "The Colour of Lies" and Rivette's "Jeanne La Pucelle" and "Secret défense".
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PoppyTransfusion
11 years ago
Do you have one of the two Chabrol collections from Arrow Films? The first boxset is very Audran-heavy, which is arguably the reason it doesn't include may personal favorites. :-)
Along with "Le boucher" and "La femme infidèle", the first one has "Juste avant la nuit", "Les biches" and "Les noces rouges" with Stéphane. Well, I actually like 3/5, it's only the last two I don't really care for. The second boxset has "La Rupture" and "Cop Au Vin", where she's very over the top for a change and absolutely grotesque I thought. But there's a brilliant Bouquet in it.
MrEdnablackadder
how do you know this? Is it from recall? If so, that's impressive ... or nerdy ... :D
I have volume 2. Didn't realise La Rupture is the same as The Break Up!
Yes I read Bouquet's bio and hadn't connected him with the elderly actor that played Auguste Renoir most recently. Your bios are very detailed so any spoilers of films as yet unseen are not retained by me. Also I'm not bothered about spoilers because if the films good then a spoiler won't detract from my enjoyment. Do you read biographies of the actors whose bios you write?
Thanks for the Bonnaire recommendations. Btw, I can't believe Huppert has only one Cesar.
Why do you refuse to remember me?
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MrEdnablackadder
11 years ago
MrEdnablackadder how do you know this? Is it from recall? If so, that's impressive ... or nerdy ... :D
I have those boxsets too.
Do you read biographies of the actors whose bios you write?
Depends. In Bouquet's case yes, I read his 2001 memoirs. There is no official biography of Emmanuelle whatsoever, so I had to rely on old magazines. With Delphine Seyrig it was a combination of both. I have a biography written by a homosexual man obsessed with her, but the book follows both Delphine's career and his own sexual adventures. So I had to use some other sources.
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PoppyTransfusion
10 years ago
Hello MrEBA,
It's been a while and I hope you're well and preparing some more bios.
I watched La Rupture/The Breach today. Having recovered from how dreadful I thought the whole film was, aside from the occasional brilliance, I thought I'd post and say that Audran allows herself wet cheeks during a few of the scenes in La Rupture. So never let it be said she doesn't try for emotion ... The reviewer you quoted in the thread who refers to her being vacuous and without life in her eyes is accurate though. There were lots of shots of her eyes, which are quite beautiful but somewhat opaque and empty. Michel Bouquet was brilliant in the film though and I enjoyed the hilarity from some of the boarding house eccentrics. (Dr Blanchard never removed his white coat once!!) I hated the Elise role - how she was acted and what was done to her during the film. And WHT with Jean-Pierre Cassel?! His role seemed quite promising but it degenerated into b-actor in tired afternoon TV series farce.
I'm left with the Q: Was Claude Chabrol on drugs whilst filming?
I give my respect to those who have earned it; to everyone else, I'm civil.
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MrEdnablackadder
10 years ago
Hello MrEBA,
It's been a while and I hope your well and preparing some more bios.
Hello Poppy,
nice to read you again as well.
I'm not too well; a person I've known my whole life has recently died. So, Christmas was bad and Easter was bad too. :-(
I'm not ready to upload some new bios just yet, although I think I'll soon get to write one for Maurice Ronet. I recently purchased a couple of bios: a fascinating life he had.
I watched La Rupture/The Breach today. Having recovered from how dreadful I thought the whole film was, aside from the occasional brilliance, I thought I'd post and say that Audran allows herself wet cheeks during a few of the scenes in La Rupture. So never let it be said she doesn't try for emotion
Oh, well, I suppose she did. To a truly comical effect (particularly in the scene where she sits on the couch and explains her problems). I remember a Chabrol interview where he stated that he finally realized how much she had grown as an actress when he directed her in the bus scene with Duchaussoy (the lawyer). I suppose that, despite putting a bit too many oooohs here and there, that was her acting 'peak' in the film and about the best she can do.. although she falls in the usual state of wooden torpor again one scene later.
Her funniest highlights are probably in the beginning though: her husband enters the room with that Hannibal Lecter expression, attacks her, throws the child around the room and she still keeps the same relaxed expression like she was posing for a vogue cover. And while waiting for the doctors to keep her to date on the boy's conditions, she almost looks annoyed rather than in despair! Hilarious, absolutely hilarious.
The reviewer you quoted in the thread who refers to her being vacuous and without life in her eyes is accurate though. There were lots of shots of her eyes, which are quite beautiful but somewhat opaque and empty.
Indeed. She's so beautiful, but her expression is so empty that, after a while, I regularly get bored of looking at her. At the end of the day, I feel more attracted by several women who aren't quite as beautiful as her.
Michel Bouquet was brilliant in the film though and I enjoyed the hilarity from some of the boarding house eccentrics.
Yeah, he's the best thing about this mess, as it's often the case. In March, I finally got to see him on the stage (despite he had officially retired a few years ago). Such a privilege!
And WHT with Jean-Pierre Cassel?! His role seemed quite promising but it degenerated into b-actor in tired afternoon TV series farce.
In the beginning, Paul Thomas was introduced as a cool character, but he eventually turns into a ludicrous pantomime villain, wanting to go on with such illogical and ill-conceived schemes even when his cover has been repeatedly blown up and everyone knows it.
I also thought that Duchaussoy Jean Carmet (as the alcoholic father of Elise) were good for all they had to do, but they weren't enough to save the movie. Most characters are too extreme or mere oddballs: Charles seems to come straight out of a cheap horror; the old ladies/fates and the actor character from one of the worst episodes of "The Avengers". This is one of those Chabrols from his lauded 60's- 70's period that many remember fondly, but I always disliked. "Les Biches" and (to a smaller degree) "Les Noces Rouges" are the same for me. Maybe my bias against Audran plays a crucial factor in this, but I don't think any actress would have made me like "La Rupture". The ending is just laughable. I realize it must have been the same in the two bit best-seller Chabrol adapted, but, hell what, Visconti changed the ending of a noteworthy novel like "The Leopard", Claude should have had even less qualms with such material.
I'm left with the Q: Was Claude Chabrol on drugs whilst filming?
Perhaps he had some LSD with his morning orange juice?
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PoppyTransfusion
10 years ago
Hello Mr EBA,
I'm sorry to hear about your bereavement. Grief is one of the hardest feelings to deal with because it comes and it goes in waves and can appear unexpectedly. I hope that you have support to deal with your grief.
I remember a Chabrol interview where he stated that he finally realized how much she had grown as an actress when he directed her in the bus scene with Duchaussoy (the lawyer).
It's a bit of grudging recognition to protect Chabrol's back. I saw Audran in Coup de Torchon recently. She didn't have to do much so was ok. I recall liking her in Babette's Feast but it's been a very long while since I saw that film.
her husband enters the room with that Hannibal Lecter expression, attacks her, throws the child around the room and she still keeps the same relaxed expression like she was posing for a vogue cover
That whole scene was terrible and you can see the replacement of the child for a soft toy. The man playing her husband was pretty poor in the film.
I'm not that familiar with Michel Bouquet outside of Chabrol's films but he was very good in the two I've seen. He was believably dastardly in La Rupture. (If that makes grammatical sense!)
In the beginning, Paul Thomas was introduced as a cool character, but he eventually turns into a ludicrous pantomime villain
What possessed J-P Cassel to take the role?? He's a good actor, why debase himself with this ridiculous film?
I don't think any actress would have made me like "La Rupture"
As it was adapted, no. It was appalling and one of the few films I judge in the moral negative because the Elise episode was not justified by the film. It was horrible and I'm not a puritan with films!
Perhaps he had some LSD with his morning orange juice?
I hope so, as it gives him a bit more credence.
We've been OT here but bringing it back to the film's board, La Femme Infidele is a good film by comparison and Stéphane Audran does not ruin it. Of course Bouquet is the best in that film too. He outdoes Ronet.
Maurice Ronet is a curious actor to me as I found him an overbloated sleaze in Pleain Soleil (perhaps the point) that contrasted strongly with him in La Feu Follet. I look forward to your bio on Ronet, as and when it materialises.
I give my respect to those who have earned it; to everyone else, I'm civil.
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MrEdnablackadder
10 years ago
Hi Poppy,
I'm sorry to hear about your bereavement. Grief is one of the hardest feelings to deal with because it comes and it goes in waves and can appear unexpectedly. I hope that you have support to deal with your grief.
The person has been unwell for a while, so it's not like it was completely unexpected and I was absolutely unprepared, but it still hurt. Thanks for the interest.
I saw Audran in Coup de Torchon recently. She didn't have to do much so was ok.
I suppose so. Her performance was kinda goofy and over the top and she was the least interesting cast member to me, but it's Noiret and Huppert's movie, so she was tolerable. I suppose that, in some ways, my visceral dislike of her, combined to the unpleasentness of her character made her performance work a bit more for me, as I cheered up when Isabelle shot her .
Very good movie btw.
I recall liking her in Babette's Feast but it's been a very long while since I saw that film.
I'm not a big fan of "Babette". It's sweet, it's likable, but did it deserve the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film over Malle's "Au Revoir Les Enfants"? Hell no! It's more of an ensemble piece, so I suppose Stéphane was a bit less indigestible than usual in that one too. I just remember that, when I saw the movie expecting a real gem with a stellar central performance, I was a bit underwhelmed. Thought the movie was fine, but hardly an auteur piece, and didn't get all the fuss about the leading actress (it's one of the first movies I saw her in). I got the impression that her Babette was a woman with little life left in her (which made sense, since she had lost husband and son) and, not being overfamiliar with her acting style, I saw it an interpretative choice. But she's not like I imagined Babette in Blixen's short story
at all (matronly build woman with authoritarian presence and an intense face). I'm sure that I would like her even less if I were to rewatch the movie now, but then again, this is a natural reaction when you've grown fed up with something. I've recently seen a few seconds clip on
ina.fr and the only thing she said in it was: "aaaaaahhh".
I'm not that familiar with Michel Bouquet outside of Chabrol's films but he was very good in the two I've seen. He was believably dastardly in La Rupture.
There are a lot of great performances in his career (many of them in the latter half, actually), but not many of his films are widely available around the globe, I think. "The Last Mitterrand", "How I Killed My Father" and "Toto le héros" are good places to start.
What possessed J-P Cassel to take the role?? He's a good actor, why debase himself with this ridiculous film?
He was a frequent Chabrol collaborator, they worked 6 times together. I think he holds the distinction of appearing both in Claude's best (La cérémonie) and worst movie (Folies Bourgeoises).
We've been OT here but bringing it back to the film's board, La Femme Infidele is a good film by comparison and Stéphane Audran does not ruin it. Of course Bouquet is the best in that film too. He outdoes Ronet.
Yup, yup and yup.
I look forward to your bio on Ronet, as and when it materialises.
Thank ya.
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PoppyTransfusion
10 years ago
The person has been unwell for a while, so it's not like it was completely unexpected and I was absolutely unprepared, but it still hurt.
Still it's one thing to prepare for a person's death; it's another to deal with the aftermath.
I suppose that, in some ways, my visceral dislike of her, combined to the unpleasentness of her character made her performance work a bit more for me, as I cheered up when Isabelle shot her.
Very good movie btw.
Btw you might want to put spoilers in your post as others who read these might not be anticipating a plot reveal about Coup de Torchon. It is, as you wrote, a very good film. I found it so funny and Noiret was superb.
I'm torn between Babette's Feast and Au Revoir les Enfants as both films are very good with themes that go beyond the surface. One makes me smile and feel the warmth of huamnity, the other makes me very sad. Hard to choose between them.
There is a Chabrol film that worse than La Rupture?!? That's worth seeing then.
I give my respect to those who have earned it; to everyone else, I'm civil.
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MrEdnablackadder
10 years ago
There is a Chabrol film that worse than La Rupture?!? That's worth seeing then.
Quite a lot actually! "La Rupture" is a 5/10 (far from a mark of supreme infamy) in my book. There are many others I rated between 4 and 0 (well, I gave "Folies Bourgeoises" 1 since 0 isn't an option; just wanted to give you the general idea). Only one after 1978 though. Having directed some of the worst movies of French cinema has always been a source of pride for Chabrol, although, later in his life, he said that, from the late 70's onwards, he began to care more about the quality of his resume and put more effort in the projects he picked. In the early half of his career he accepted many offers against the grain for purely economical reasons and, according to his frequent collaborator Paul Gégauff, didn't even bother to supervise the final editing of a movie if he was in a hurry to move to the set of another one he had more interest in. He said himself that he was drunk for for most of the shooting of "La ligne du démarcation" (the project was initially meant for Anthony Mann).
Here are the ones that are worse than "La Rupture" IMO:
Folies Bourgeoises
Le Tigre aime la chair fraîche/La Tigre se parfume à la dynamite
Le Scandale
La Route De Corinthe
Les magiciens
Les liens de sang
Doctor M.
"Poulet au vinaigre", "Ophélia" and "Landru" are about on par with "La Rupture", I think. I haven't seen every movie he's done, but most. "Folies Bourgeoises" is indeed a must-see though. Chabrol himself called it one of the 3 worst movies ever and Stéphane gives her very worst performance (and one of the worst in film history) in it.
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udippel
8 years ago
You did change the title to a valid question, as far as I am concerned. Elsewhere I noted my disappointment with her in some movie, don't remember now. She was good, and then at times ran through the place like a chicken not knowing what to do. Without any tension nor direction.
Yes, she surely could act, and I really fell in love with her working with Buñuel. With him, every second of her was full of 'acting'. I have developed the feeling that she is good once she really knows what to do, and a decisive director of a clear mind and fully pre-planned scenes can make her shine, otherwise she tends to 'crumble'.
Another argument for her acting abilities is the range from the icy bourgeois wife in the Bourgeoisie to the plump under-class femme in Coup de Torchon. But also in that latter movie, despite of great moments, I perceive her standing about for seconds without any purpose. That never happened with Buñuel. Or he cut all those vain moments.?
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PoppyTransfusion
8 years ago
You did change the title to a valid question, as far as I am concerned. Elsewhere I noted my disappointment with her in some movie, don't remember now. She was good, and then at times ran through the place like a chicken not knowing what to do. Without any tension nor direction.
I changed it too because of the conversation with the other poster who is not a fan! But I thought I'd reply to you because I wonder how Isabelle Huppert, another Chabrol collaborator late in his career, would have fared with the wife's role. Huppert can do cold, enigmatic and impervious, but with passion and intelligence too. Anyway, I can wonder but we are left with Audran. I've not seen her work with Buñuel and look forward to watching her work with him. She has a certain charisma on screen; she captures the eye. I have mixed feelings about her having liked her in some films but not in others. You pose an interesting question about director editing choices.
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer
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MrEdnablackadder
8 years ago
In Stéphane's defense, she once admitted that she wouldn't have been able to play the roles Chabrol gave to Huppert.
As I previously said, 'Discreet Charm' may be a misleading starting point for an Audran marathon. Even if I had seen on a couple occasions before, it was the first time I noticed her as well and, taking her motionless iciness as a specific acting choice for the Alice character, I was impressed. A more recent and careful rewatch made me see that there are some weak moments in that performance as well, from the occasional ooooooohhhhh to some of her classic crooning tones to the dream sequence where the group dines in 'Rue du Parc' and Dufour tries on the bicorne to her great amusement. . Everytime she gets out of her state of cryogenic hibernation to show some natural human reaction like crying or laughing, it always feels forced and unconvincing. Nevertheless, her style fits the film for the most time, since it's a surreal farce. That's very different from Chabrol's films, of course, where even an unexpansive character is called to show some signs of surprise or preoccupation at times.
Anyways, I agree that she may be more or less functional depending of her directors and the way they use them.
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PoppyTransfusion
8 years ago
Good evening MrEb ... and do you think Huppert could have taken Audran's roles upon herself with ease? I've yet to see The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoise but will of course be watching her carefully. I saw Chabrol's Story of Women the other evening with Huppert and she was wonderful as was the film. That's the third Chabrol film I've seen which feels complete as a jolly good film.
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer
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MrEdnablackadder
8 years ago
Good evening, Poppy.
Huppert and Audran are different, of course. I guess Isabelle lacks Stéphane's chic bourgeois glamour. I think she may have done a better job in 'Le Boucher', and project better the butch quality that fits the character. Would've portrayed cool extravagance better in 'Les Biches'. I guess she would've also been more believable as a lower class ex-dancer in 'La rupture', even if I stand by my claim that the film shouldn't have been done in the first place.. Maybe she would've been less suited to play the Hélènes from this one, 'Juste avant la nuit' and 'Les Noces Rouges' (even if she has a certain experience at playing adulterous women!), since- as I mentioned- she's less the grand-dame-of-high-society type compared to Stéphane. I don't know, I guess she would've been.. different in those roles. One perceives these Hélènes as women that hardly feel any emotion, but that has a lot to do with Audran's difficulty at conveying any emotion. Some say her acting may fit Chabrol's style.. but none of his other leading ladies (Huppert, Lafont, Bonnaire, Schneider) ever acted that way.
While Huppert may have not been the ideal choice for some of his films, that doesn't mean Audran was. I always wondered how good Delphine Seyrig or Anna Karina may have been in 'Le Boucher'. Or how great it would've been to see Delphine as Bouquet's wife in the bourgeoisie dramas. Bernadette's predatory charm may have been a great asset to 'Les Biches'.
I saw Chabrol's Story of Women the other evening with Huppert and she was wonderful as was the film. That's the third Chabrol film I've seen which feels complete as a jolly good film.
The other two being?
It's a vintage Chabrol indeed. In my Top 5 along with 'La Cérémonie', 'Les fantômes du chapelier', 'Que la bête meure' and 'Le boucher'. 'La femme infidèle', 'Les bonnes femmes' and 'Juste avant la nuit' mustn't be much behind.
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PoppyTransfusion
8 years ago
I guess Isabelle lacks Stéphane's chic bourgeois glamour.
Really? I find Isabelle just that!
The other two being?
Le Boucher and Les Fleur du Mal. I've not seen Que la Bête Meure (looks good) or Les Fantômes du Chapelier (also looks good). I've at least one Chabrol film in my box set featuring Romy Schneider; I really like her from the little I've seen.
how great it would've been to see Delphine as Bouquet's wife in the bourgeoisie dramas. Bernadette's predatory charm may have been a great asset to 'Les Biches'.
Delphine or Bernadette?
I wonder if Audran needed more direction from Chabrol than she may have received. It's interesting that she set Huppert above herself. Anyway ... Chabrol, Audran and their films intrigue.
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer
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MrEdnablackadder
8 years ago
Really? I find Isabelle just that!
She's classy, she has an intellectual sex appeal about her, but I associate her less with the glamorous socialite image (although, she can be everything she wants..)
Delphine or Bernadette?
I always thought Bernadette & Bulle Ogier may have done marvels as Frédérique and Why in 'Les Biches' as opposed to the wooden combo of Audran and Sassard. I was suggesting Delphine for the other leading roles in Chabrol's films, although she would have been great as Frédérique too (just like in Huppert's case, is there anything she couldn't do?). And damn cool with that hat.
I've not seen Que la Bête Meure (looks good) or Les Fantômes du Chapelier (also looks good).
Hope you find a way to see the second, which never got much international visibility, unfortunately.
I've at least one Chabrol film in my box set featuring Romy Schneider; I really like her from the little I've seen.
You should definitely check her work with Sautet, in this case.
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PoppyTransfusion
8 years ago
Thanks for the tips MrEb. Bulle Ogier is not someone that I've ever seen in a film so another to check. Will certainly watch more of Romy and her work with Sautet that you recommend.
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer
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MrEdnablackadder
8 years ago
Bulle Ogier is not someone that I've ever seen in a film so another to check.
As soon as you check 'Discreet Charm', you'll get to see her, Stéphane and Delphine at once!
And most of her work with the late, great Rivette is a must-see.
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