MovieChat Forums > 8 femmes (2002) Discussion > The Best Femme in the Film

The Best Femme in the Film

posted 20 years ago by ShinkMan
69 replies | jump to latest

My vote has got to go to Firmine Richard, who was, simply put, magnifique. She played the wonderful character of Madame Chanel, the cook.

First off, let us discuss Madame Chanel. She was obviously the smartest person in the whole movie, as she was the only one that discovered the truth about Marcel. Also, her emotions and lines of dialogue were the most interesting. When someone like the horiffically bad Fanny Ardant is compared to Richard, Ardant seems to have about as much acting talent as a salami sandwich. Richard was just so fascinating in her role, and she played it with such wisdom and pathos. Also, her wonderful character was kind of a throwback to those nostalgic "Mammy" roles that were often taken up by the incomparable Hattie McDaniel.

Also, the appearance of Richard was perfect. She was just so large and dark and beautiful. Finally, I would jut like to say that Richard was not only good when she acted. She was also splendid in her musical number. Truly, the movie did not have to be called the cumbersome "8 Women." It should have rather been entitled "1 Woman," for Firmine Richard was the standout actress in the ensemble.

[–] brownbunny09 20 years ago

U sound like a huge Richard fan. No doubt she wasgreat, but I think Ardant was great too if not better. "horrically bad?" how could u say that. she was terrific. i loved her singing number and her acting as the bad girl.

Not to mention, she's good-looking for her age.

[–] Mackintosh_Qwil 20 years ago

Hattie McDaniel was a Oscar winner, but I don't think Richard's part was an Oscar performance because of the character. Simply they were all good. Keeping in mind that Deneuve and Ardant do have extremely more movies under their belts. Huppert was also a strong contender. I'm sure Richards has more movies too come. Who knows what Ozon will come up with next.

You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.

[–] carolfantaccini-1 17 years ago

Good-looking for her age? She's beautiful for all ages. These french women have some secret mojo. Wish I could find it out and use it myself.

[–] Sir_Macca 20 years ago

I'd say Isabelle Huppert as the hysterical aunt Agustine without a blink, although every women from this wonder cast gave an excellent performance... Great acting, great musical numbers, great movie...

Cheers

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[–] Mackintosh_Qwil 20 years ago

Sir I love the part about Augstine and her libary books. Ardant and Huppert just played off each other so well. I was suprised too see Huppert being comic.

The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have too catch it yourself.

[–] superdude81589 20 years ago

I have to say Pierette, she was so hillarious in her calm and sarcastic manner that I was rooting for her when she made a funny line. Augustine was good too.

[–] Doc-P 19 years ago

My vote goes to Isabelle Huppert who was in a comic role and besides the fact that Huppert is very well known for her roles in drama.

[–] shannon77 20 years ago

I guess I will be ordinary and say Deneuve. I thought the Jade colored dress she wore in the film was just so well cut and beautiful on her! She is just so elegant all of the time.

She has done a lot for the country of France in terms of making it seem more glamourous than it already is ...

[–] aldo_atmz 20 years ago

I think Fanny Ardant was definitely the best...

[–] Landslide54321 19 years ago

I'de have to say Deneuve...I thought she was hilarious in this film, especially when Ardant came into the picture. You could tell as soon as Ardant's character came in to the picture Deneuve's character was jelouse becuase she was no longer the beauty queen of the group...Hilarious!!!

[–] Jungle_Red 19 years ago

i Love love love Fanny

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] guyderome 19 years ago

Am I the only one who'll vote for Ludivine Sagnier's role as Catherine? When she jumps up on the stairs and says, in English, "...zat is zee question!" I think I just about fell in love right there. Also check her out in 'The Swimming Pool.'

All the women are good in this film.

Guy

[–] tseybert 9 years ago

I vote for Ludivine as well!

Janet! Donkeys!

[–] aios-dum 8 years ago

Ludivine too! And she was what, 22/23 years old when she acted in this. Brilliant!
Then one year later she took off her clothes and put on a wild girl routine in Swimming Pool. I think she was just great!

[–] wglenn 19 years ago

I don't know who was the best, but Darrieux really impressed me with her range - going from the dithering and loving old grandmother to confessing horrible crimes, being a souse and jumping up out of the wheelchair unexpectedly. It was a great role for her. And her song at the end, by Aragon and Brassens, really puled the movie together emotionally.

Huppert gets credit for stealing scenes in such fine company. I would say she gave the most over-the-top performance. But everyone was so good.

[–] blacklives4ever 19 years ago

Oh man, I really need to see this movie again. I know I liked Isabelle Huppert's character Augustine. And I liked the pregnant girl (I'm sorry, I saw it in August and I'm not good with names unless I already knew actresses and actors). She was also in "Bon Voyage" and I thought she was probably the most interesting character in that one. Hm... I liked the cook too. I really thought she was dead for a second. :-/ But I also liked the maid. She was the type of girl who looked sweet and innocent but she looked like the murderess, and I thought it would be her for the entire film. Freaked me out when she went all seductive. Anyway, I thought this was an excellent movie with an intriguing plot. My friend called me when I was watching it and I told her I was watching a movie where everyone was going weird and revealing secrets, and this lady whacked her mom on the head and stuffed her in the closet. My friend was like "ooh! I think I'll come over." So she did, and is looking to buy it. :-)

Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people who miss the same imaginary place.

[–] movieman200 19 years ago

I say Catherine (Ludivine Sagnier). They got her all looking like a kid in this movie, but if she was to take off those clothes, you'd be surprised. Go watch her in Swimming Pool. She is hot!

[–] clong_clong 19 years ago

Even better, check "Gouttes d'eau sur pierre brûlante" out ... she is ... hmmm quite pleasant to watch ... and running around most of the time without cloths (or very few) ^_^
I don't like the movie ("water drops on burning rocks") but if you like her, it maybe a sufficient reason to watch it.

[–] Asaaf00 19 years ago

In my opinion, Fanny Ardant was the greatest one in the move.
and her song, dance and performance were so wonderful

It's a fantastic movie ... i give them 10/10 !

[–] ceche 19 years ago

I vote for Isabelle Huppert, definitely.
I saw it dubbed in Italian, it was still unbelievably excellent. Has anyone seen the original French version.

[–] ichimaru 17 years ago

I find it funny how someone claims they liked one character best solely for how hot the actress was in some other movie. Especially when she was made to look so not hot in this movie. That's probably the silliest thing I've read on this thread yet.

I personally hated Catherine. Her actress was hot in Swimming Pool, sure, but she was anything but that in this one! And her character grated on my nerves at random intervals, particularly at the end. I wish they'd had the ending so she had seen her own part in Marcel's suicide. Although I'm not sure if that's because I wanted to feel the vindictive pleasure of seeing the character I'd disliked so much come to a very true realization or because I really felt the ending was too soon, I'm not sure. I will admit I thought Ludivine's acting was superb. The actress herself did a great job. The character annoyed me very much though.

For me, I really liked Isabelle Huppert and Emmanuelle Béart both. Isabelle was quite funny and I loved how Augustine suddenly transformed partway through the movie in a very dramatic sort of way. Emmanuelle played her role very well and was fun to watch. Huppert might have won a little over Emmanuelle, but Emmanuelle comes in a very close second for me.

[–] redcomrad 17 years ago

emmanuelle beart was really good, i loved fanny ardant's caracter but she didn't play very well... she was still classy, so i can forgive her. catherine deneuve was great. virginie ledoyen got on my nerves but i guess that's her role-but it seems to be her role in all movies, i don't think she's a very good actress, she's just famous for looking french.

[–] nikkivisser 8 years ago

virginie ledoyen . i got an eiffel of those towers and it drove me in seine.

[–] hypercrit 19 years ago

I'd vote Ludivine (Catherine). She is so cute. That 'Daddy you're not with it' tune is f'n hillarious. I just love how she carries herself. Her performance is not particularly astonishing, but she has a magnetism that made me like the film more than I would have if I was just watching it based on the merit of the plot etc. The film itself is somewhat mundane, but I liked the energy of the ensemble so I gave it 7*.

[–] Boy3007 19 years ago

Am I the only one???
I really liked Emmanuelle Béart the most.
She looked so good in her maid dress.
But I enjoyed the others too.

The cast is so perfect. It looks like this would be their real life.

[–] spam-509 19 years ago

You are not the only one. I also like Emmanuelle Beart the most and her clothing is perfect. Her song is the most vibrant and energizing of the movie.

The two other women actresses that "shined" here are Fanny Ardant and Isabelle Huppert. Their acting is shockingly right and strong. Amazing.

The performance of the lovely Virginie Ledoyen was quite interesting and accurate although less mature than the other actresses. Daniele Darrieux's good performance was a important point in the movie.

I found Catherine Deneuve very faded and not acting properly. She seemed like she was just reading some text without any emphasis. No emotions. She appeared beaten by the two competing stars, Fanny Ardant and Isabelle Huppert. She also seems to have taken some weight and she keeps that awful blue dress all the movie long.

I am not a great fan of Ludicine Sagnier although she plays an accurate character here. The last actress which is the only mostly unknown actress here and whom i forgot the name managed to stand the presence of at least 4 "monsters" of the french cinema without suffering on the screen.

I've seen the movie twice in french, because i'am french.

[–] i_like_phalli 19 years ago

My favourites were Isabelle Huppert and Emmanuelle Beart, they're so cool and their costumes were by far the best, they're cool like Anja actually, not Gemma though, she's not cool.

[–] v_friendly_alien 19 years ago

LIAR. What makes ANJA so cool? Hmm? I am just as cool and you KNOW it... Cooler than YOU... *mumbles inaudible obscenities*

Anyhoo, isn't Isabelle Huppert in "i huckabees"? She plays Caterine Vauban me thinks. I'm pretty sure she did, as the name rings a bell, and she is French afterall. I think I answered my own question.

*cough* Simo is a loser *cough*

Famous People Are Just More Interesting

[–] 19 years ago

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