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How entertaining? ★★★☆☆
Thought provoking? ★☆☆☆☆ 19 November 2012
This article is a review of LOVE CRIME. |
“We’re gorgeous, no?” Christine (Kirstin Scott Thomas) to Isabelle (Ludivine Sagnier)
Yes you both are. Exuding a sexual and murderous frisson, LOVE CRIME is in the same vein as BODY HEAT and THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY. Two intelligent, highly educated, Paris corporate flyers begin the film in a harmonious but one-sided professional relationship. Scott Thomas’s Christine is predatory, invading her junior exec’s personal space at the informal meeting at the former’s mansion. Isabelle seems both uncomfortable, and to enjoy the proximity. Sociopathically ambitious, Christine at first at least appears to be grooming Isabelle to replace her as she rises. However, when the boss takes credit for the subordinate’s work, and Isabelle starts a paramour with Christine’s f*ck buddy, Philippe (Patrick Mille), on a work trip, the formerly meek repositions herself.
Yes you both are. Exuding a sexual and murderous frisson, LOVE CRIME is in the same vein as BODY HEAT and THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY. Two intelligent, highly educated, Paris corporate flyers begin the film in a harmonious but one-sided professional relationship. Scott Thomas’s Christine is predatory, invading her junior exec’s personal space at the informal meeting at the former’s mansion. Isabelle seems both uncomfortable, and to enjoy the proximity. Sociopathically ambitious, Christine at first at least appears to be grooming Isabelle to replace her as she rises. However, when the boss takes credit for the subordinate’s work, and Isabelle starts a paramour with Christine’s f*ck buddy, Philippe (Patrick Mille), on a work trip, the formerly meek repositions herself.
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Sounds convoluted; actually, the filmmakers manage to set-up adroitly the character dynamics. Philippe is a lawyer to their firm. And the meeting in Cairo suggests Isabelle wants everything her senior has: Power, recognition, dapper boyf, and des res pad. Back in France, and after Christine’s underhanded brownie point grab, Isabelle’s pal in the office, Daniel (Guillaume Marquet), advises not to brief the supervisor, circumvent her, and show the American head honchos her ability.
Christine has the charm and chutzpah to initially keep Isabelle under thumb, using various tricks to dress-up her office politicking as honesty and guidance. “Want it and watch out,” Isabelle eventually quotes back to her, when the bad behaviour gets too much. Christine then gets nasty with her underling. Isabelle’s response is not what I expected. It’s a pleasure to see these two actresses eating up the potboiler material.
Remade as PASSION by Brian De Palma, currently doing the festival circuit, and starring Rachel McAdams and Noomi Rapace, I somehow doubt the new version will have the suaveness and charisma of LOVE CRIME. But you never know, perhaps it may iron out some of the motivational clunkiness that lets the side down a bit.
LOVE CRIME is a slick little amoral thriller.
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