A pretty good use of some rather pedestrian writing. Its an art film, the visuals are interestingly Wellesian, and the thing would be quite striking if restored.
It got less challenging (i.e. "good" in my book) in places from about 20 minutes in, and GOD there's a lot of dubbing.
Bates was damn cool, as was most of the camera work.
Saw it on DVD from Netflix.
For some people "La décade prodigieuse" was one of Chabrol's misfires. But for me it was a truly compelling film marred by a bad dubbing: If you choose the french track, then you listen Orson Welles and Anthony Perkins dubbed. If you choose the french track then Michel Piccoli and Marlène Jobert are the dubbed ones.
Anyway even with all of its shortcomings, I've found it highly enjoyable. A good example of what a Chabrol film is, plus some interesting noir flavour and even a buñuelian touch.
I loved it too, great atnosphere and cgaracters, not in his top 5, but top 15 for me.
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