The Girl Cut in Two DVD, 2007

Alex Davidson finds Chabrol's latest dissection of the French bourgeoisie a return to form for 'The French Hitchcock'.

Veteran director Claude Chabrol, now 79, makes a superb return to form with The Girl Cut in Two. What first appears to be a sharp dissection of the French bourgeoisie gradually turns into something more sinister, as a weather girl (Ludivine Sagnier) becomes torn between a sadistic, much older writer (François Berléand) and a spoiled rich kid (Benoît Magimel).

Chabrol is often compared to Alfred Hitchcock, although at first glance the parallels are hard to spot in this film. Slowly, however, suspense and tension build, and the treatment of the heroine certainly echoes the British director’s treatment of female characters, especially in the sinister and suggestive party scene. The film is loosely inspired by the events surrounding the Stanford White case, and Chabrol and his cast brilliantly portray their flawed, destructive characters. Sagnier, a charismatic, sexy actress who is rarely offered roles worthy of her talent, gives a powerful performance as the enigmatic protagonist, who emerges as a strong character in spite of her abuse at the hands of two difficult men.

Chabrol has just finished work on his next film, a murder mystery starring Gérard Depardieu - hopefully it will continue his exciting renaissance.

Alex Davidson on 1st August 2009
View all 216 of Alex Davidson's reviews