MovieChat Forums > Les fantômes du chapelier (1982) Discussion > Is the film really about the tailor?

Is the film really about the tailor?

posted 10 years ago by Charlot47
1 reply | jump to latest

The hatter is seriously mad and, unless he runs out of women he wants to strangle, will one day fall into the hands of the impotent police. We watch his inevitable descent with morbid fascination but without sympathy.

Isn’t the tailor, on the other hand, a much more interesting character? A struggling immigrant, in ill health with a large family to feed, he suspects the hatter but does not dare denounce him. By keeping silent, he becomes complicit. Even on his deathbed, when the hatter privately admits to multiple murders, the tailor says nothing. An apparent Christian, he conceals his neighbour’s many horrible crimes. Why?

[–] MrEdnablackadder 9 years ago

Kachoudas is a conundrum and his mysterious relationsip with Léon is what makes the story so unique, so, in a way, yes, it's his character who helps making the difference. Still, I think no one could steal the spotlight from Serrault, whose performance was just pure genius.

I love the film and I think it's a rare example of how you can do a great cinematic work out of a Simenon novel (I think Renoir's 'La Nuit Du Carrefour' must be the only noteworthy Maigret adaptation outside of TV). It's probably my second favourite Chabrol just after 'La Cérémonie': wonderful atmosphere, stunning cinematography, unpredictable structure, a completely satisfying and essential ending and, as mentioned, an outstanding Serrault performance. Also, Stéphane Audran is not in this and that's always a plus (wonder if her absence actually galvanized Chabrol in a subliminal way).