Stars: Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Anne Consigny
Storyline
Michèle seems indestructible. Head of a successful video game company, she brings the same ruthless attitude to her love life as to business. Being attacked in her home by an unknown assailant changes Michèle's life forever. When she resolutely tracks the man down, they are both drawn into a curious and thrilling game-a game that may, at any moment, spiral out of control.
Writers: Philippe Djian, David Birke, Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Anne Consigny, Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Anne Consigny, Charles Berling, Virginie Efira, Judith Magre, Christian Berkel, Jonas Bloquet, Alice Isaaz, Vimala Pons, Raphaël Lenglet, Arthur Mazet, Lucas Prisor, Hugo Conzelmann, Stéphane Bak, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Cast: Isabelle Huppert -
Michèle Leblanc
Laurent Lafitte -
Patrick
(as Laurent Lafitte de la Comédie Française)
Anne Consigny -
Anna
Charles Berling -
Richard Leblanc
Virginie Efira -
Rebecca
Judith Magre -
Irène Leblanc
Christian Berkel -
Robert
Jonas Bloquet -
Vincent
Alice Isaaz -
Josie
Vimala Pons -
Hélène
Raphaël Lenglet -
Ralf
Arthur Mazet -
Kevin
Lucas Prisor -
Kurt
Hugo Conzelmann -
Philipp Kwan
Stéphane Bak -
Omar
Trivia:
Before the production began, Paul Verhoeven went to a Dutch language institute to learn French, in order to better communicate with the cast and crew. He said it was simply necessary, because according to tradition, making a French movie should be done with an all-French crew. He initially spoke English with them, but this didn't work efficiently. Fortunately, Verhoeven had once been to a French school in his youth, so he picked up the language quickly. See more »
Quotes:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 7/10
After seeing this film at Cannes, it left me with rather mixed
emotions, and I continued thinking about it for quite some time after;
so after much thought, I decided it was time to write a review of this
new French new flick. 'Elle' is a thought-provoking thriller from the
hands of Dutch auteur Paul Verhoeven that is definitely not suitable
for the younger audiences. Verhoeven has a tendency to venture down
more explicit routes (think of 'Showgirls'), but this time took a
psychological approach creating a film that will definitely leave you
thinking.
Now, the plot can be rather convoluted. The film runs several plot
lines alongside each other and at times, you can lose track of certain
characters, but if you pay close enough attention, you'll fully
appreciate the complex, yet original structure Verhoeven has created.
The performances in the film are all fantastic, and the direction is
magnificent (Verhoeven actually took to learning French as a new
language so he could utilise an entire French crew), the cinematography
and soundtrack both make great accompaniments, but I personally think
the film's structure was the only downside to the film.
The subject matter is rather grim, revolving around sexual assault and
the estranged relationship between the main character and her parents,
but there are instances of humour that just give that little hint of
lightheartedness to a relatively dark premise. All-in- all I would
definitely recommend this film if you're a fan of dark thrillers along
the lines of 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' etc, but be prepared for
a no-holds brazen thriller. Nonetheless, Verhoeven has made a sincere
thriller that kept me thinking well after the credits had finished, so
congratulations to him for that, and for undertaking the somewhat
"risky" subject matter.
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