Elle

Very dark but very good!

Its lovely and talented Isabelle Huppert that keeps this rather dismal and violent movie afloat. Huppert is poetry in motion even though she play the less than likable Michele Leblanc. ELLE opens with a shocker as Michele is being violently raped. Its an unnerving scene. Whats even more unnerving is that she doesnt go to the police and basically returns to her life almost as if nothing had happened. Michele and her partner run a video game business--video games that are especially violent against women? Could her assailant be one of her employees? What makes ELLE even more of a dismal film is that Michele is not a likable person. Shes tough on her employees and on her son. She has disdain for her elderly mother and her fling with a handsome (and seemingly nice) young stallion. She is especially unkind to her ex-husband Richard who seems to spend his time trying to make amends with Michele. Micheles assailant is stalking her and it was clear to me quickly who he was. The psychological factor kicks in as it seems that Michele has a need for this invasive violence. Its a not too deep journey into Micheles psyche as we learn her father is a notorious criminal up for parole. Its his horrific crime and the then 10-year-old Micheles role (innocent or not) that forms the backbone of Micheles life. Unfortunately, a chance was missed to tell an engrossing psychological thriller her. It is stylistic as are many French films. Add in a famous Dutch director, Paul Verhoeven, and this could explain the uneven level of styles. The main reason to watch ELLE is to see Isabelle Huppert in motion.

What a sick, disturbing film this was! Everything about it bothered me...I only finished watching to see if there was some surprise ending that would make this strange story make sense, but NO there was no satisfying resolution. The main character was extremely unlikable as well. I wish so much that I had not watched this movie.

Yikes! This is not for the faint of heart.

For the great acting and very good production. A very twisted story, but not too far from reality for some. I wanted to stop watching it at one point, but I could not. Have you own experience.

Its not meant to be a fun movie so if thats what youre looking for then search on. If youre looking for an incredibly well acted, artistic work that probes the psyche of a powerful and troubled woman then this is the movie for you. Totally brilliant, loved it even though it is, at times, disturbing.

The French must really like their sex! That part was no surprise. But mixed in with a screwed up family and a collossal crime the story held it all together to he very end.

Middle aged French porn...

Great movie and Huppert is an incredible actress who does a lot with her character. Made me want to move to France.

Too. Violent