The Flower of Evil
by Claude Chabrol
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Benoît Magimel, Bernard Le Coq, Mélanie Doutey, Nathalie Baye, Suzanne FlonDirector: Claude Chabrol
Brand: BAYE,NATHALIE
Cinematographer: Eduardo Serra
Writer: Claude Chabrol
Editor: Monique Fardoulis
Producer: Marin Karmitz
Producer: Yvon Crenn
Writer: Caroline Eliacheff
Writer: Louise L. Lambrichs
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); French (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.77:1
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-04-20
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lions Gate
Movie Reviews of The Flower of Evil
Movie Review: The Black Dahlias
Summary: 5 Stars
Claude Chabrol's "La Fleur du Mal" is as tightly structured as a Moliere comedy or a Shakespeare drama: nothing is left to chance, everything is accounted for, from the lampshade in a home office to the neatly stacked and folded shirts packed in a suitcase. Chabrol is also fastidious about his mise en scene: from the décor and the photography to the clothing and jewelry.Chabrol has focused his microscope on a family, riddled with the sins of their ancestors that once again come to the forefront in the form of a hate letter aimed at the mother, Anne (Nathalie Baye) during her bid for mayor in a small French provincial town. It's the middle class, the Bourgeoisie that Chabrol views with contempt here: their insistence on sweeping things under the carpet, their not talking about things better discussed and their fascination with those with more money and a better lineage.
Despite the fact that most of these people are pretty despicable, guilty of the worst kind of betrayal, "La Fleur du Mal" is nonetheless fascinating to watch as Chabrol pieces his story together, layering scene upon scene, dissecting and surgically removing all the false faces and peeling away the fake smiles.
Benoit Magimel (The object of Isabelle Huppert's affection in "The Piano Teacher") as Francois and Melanie Doutey as Michele add sexual heat to the surroundings and also a clear dislike for what is going on. But I think Suzanne Flon as the eldest member of the family is the one who really holds the film together: her portrayal of Tante Line has seen it all, literally and has used her experience wisely by turning it into wisdom not archness or conceit.
"La Fleur du Mal" is Chabrol at his best, at his smartest, at his shrewdest and as such begs viewing by anyone interested in Contemporary film.
Summary of The Flower of Evil
A seemingly respectible and distinguished family's foundations begin to crack after one of its members decides to run for mayor, a body turns up in their home, and all the family's secrets and criminal activities come to light.Genre: Foreign Film - French
Rating: R
Release Date: 20-APR-2004
Media Type: DVD
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