CINEMA REVIEW: ELLE (2016)
TITLE: ELLE (2016)
DIRECTOR: PAUL VERHOEVEN
WRITER: DAVID BIRKE based on the novel Oh by Phillipe Dijan
CAST: ISABEL HUPPERT, LAURENT LAFITTE, ANNE CONSIGNY, CHARLES BERLING, VIRGINIE EFIRA
**MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**
Where do I begin with this film? Is it a comedy? Is it a satire? Is it a drama? Is it a horror film? Well, all of the above I would say and then some. For starters Isabel Huppert SHOULD have won the Oscar for best actress over the candy floss performance of Emma Stone. That genuinely was a first world artistic travesty! Huppert is absolutely sensational as the damaged anti-heroine who having been part of a horrific childhood event is then subjected to a vicious sexual attack in the very first scene. Thus, immediately the film brutalises the main character and makes the audience complicit with her subsequent actions which are complex to say the least. Because as a successful business-woman with a murky past she doesn’t go down the route of victim but rather something completely different.
As it’s directed by the rambunctious cinema satirist Paul Verhoeven I expected a difficult yet entertaining ride, however, this film at times was painful to watch and not what I would call easy entertainment at all. In fact, I’m surprised there hasn’t been more controversy or outrage from the liberal left in the queasy representation of sexual violence. Don’t get me wrong there is a lot to like about the film, especially: the darkly humorous screenplay; the hilarious representations of bourgeois-middle-class-family life; and the unexpected twists in the plots take the breath away. Yet, both male and female humiliation is at the heart of the story and Huppert’s character is kind of unlikeable, making it is difficult to get behind many of her decisions.
Overall, Elle has been laden with awards and received much critical acclaim and I can certainly confirm it is a brave and challenging character drama with very risky themes at its heart. My interpretation is that the writer and filmmakers have a nihilistic view of the French bourgeoisie and that humanity in general is full of damaged lunatics out for what they can get. Essentially too, Huppert’s character has been ruined by the actions of men and her motivations are borne out of trying to gain control of a horrific situation. Thus, I would recommend this film for those who prefer their cinema to challenge, shock and question the nature of sexual politics, rather than spoon feed us fluffy and patriarchal love stories. Because, mainly, this is not a love story but rather one of hate.
(Mark: 8 out of 11 for the film)
(Mark: 11 out of 11 for Isabelle Huppert)
The Cinema Fix presents: 
She really should have won the Academy Award over Stone. I mean, I am sure Stone’s better performances are still ahead of her, but this Huppert’s performance was just one of a kind, never to be repeated again.
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Absolutely – it was spellbinding!
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I found Elle to be a stunning film and one of those experiences that had me wanting to go back and see it again straight away (I did!) Huppert is, I agree, outstanding
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Yes, it was very complex in its representations of sexual politics and family life and at times very challenging to watch! I expect it gets even better on further viewings.
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It really really does
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Isabelle Huppert always takes demanding roles and this sounds like no exception. Excellent review Paul.
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Cheers. This could even be her finest performance as the character is some complex in her actions and decisions. I was mesmerised throughout.
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For me, Huppert says so much without dialogue. She can be cold or seemingly passive to some, but her eyes speak volumes.
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Exactly. And that is precisely what happens here when her character is attacked throughout. Great point.
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I love when an actor has that ability to create emotion without a word.
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Yes. She’s one of the best and should’ve won the Oscar.
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By the way on another note, did you see my recent posts on The Godfather Trilogy? They went down really well with my followers.
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Oh yes, I shall have to catch up with that. I’ll check it out, as the first two are absolute classic movies.
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Thanks Paul, always happy to hear your points of view.
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I expected a lot from Elle because I already knew it had a ‘not so easy to digest’ story going on, but when I finally watched it, I realised this film is even better and more complex than I expected. It is clear why Isabel Huppert didn’t win an Oscar despite of her superb performance, the story is just too radical and controversial for Hollywood’s stuck up standards. Also, I love that you mentioned the satirical view of seemingly perfect members of the bourgeoisie, who keep all kinds of problems right underneath the polished surface, I think that is something our society needs to question more often, especially through art.
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Absolutely agree, thanks for your positive comments. It’s a thought-provoking film from Verhoeven and the writers especially where the gender politics are concerned and of course Emma Stone’s role was a nicer and easier pick. Amidst the horror it’s a classic satire on the French middle class complete with classic family dinner scene, where everyone hates each other but doesn’t say.
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Great review. I’ve wanted to see this for a while. I’ll be sure to get round to watching this soon.
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Thanks very much. It’s a complex film but certainly worth watching as it gets the heart and mind going.
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