Monday 27 October 2014

Une partie de plaisir (A Piece of Pleasure) 1975 ****


This film is marred by tragedy, and irony. 8 years after the film was made, the lead actor was stabbed to death by his second wife. Here he acts alongside his first wife in a tale on infidelity and jealousy. 
To spice things up in an already mediocre marriage, Philippe decides to embark on numerous affairs. He then describes these to his wife Ester expecting her to be excited and interested and keen to do the same. Understandably she isn't, but agrees to go along with his plan to appease him. However, it soon becomes clear that Ester is having rather too much fun and getting too tied up in the affairs she is having, and Philippe is not happy. After all, it was acceptable when HE was having the affairs, but not when his wife is deriving pleasure from hers. Philippe is exceedingly jealous and violent towards Ester, until tragedy strikes.
A well done movie, with a typical Chabrol feel to it. I love how his characters always have an undercurrent of emotion and passion bubbling beneath and threatening to explode. French films are beyond compare when it comes to analyzing relationships and the complexities of the human heart. 

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