Elle

From the description I expected something typical, but it was quite good and unexpected

I like Paul.Verhoeven movies but I really like his commentaries. It helps me understand the weird choices he makes in his films. I was very disappointed to find that this bluray does not have director commentary. The story is weird and kind of freaky for the normal US viewer. If you are a Verhoeven fan rent this instead of buying with the lack of special features its not worth the bluray price.

Isabelle Huppert was outstanding. All the acting was excellent. On the surface, the plot seems straightforward enough, but it is not. The psychological profiles of the lead actress (Huppert) and the rapist were extremely complicated. to say the least. All of this is my opinion of course, but the character of Elle did not appeal to me. She was a mix of both masochist and sadist stemming from a hideous childhood trauma. The rapist was just that; a violent rapist who beat his victims. I dont know if the Director was trying to get a romantic spin on rape or not (I hope not), but Ill just keep to my opinion that they were two of the worse people I would never like to meet.

Sometimes the stars align for a film, as is the case with the legendary French actress, Isabelle Huppert taking the lead in Paul Verhoevens in-your-face thriller, Elle. Both the story and the star are superbly matched, here. It is almost cliche to say that Verhoeven is controversial. Hardly any of his English-language films, from Robocop to Basic Instinct did not generate strident conversations. Elle was not different -- is no different -- in its uncomfortable look at the role a strong-willed woman plays in a still male-dominated society. A middle-aged CEO of a computer gaming company in Paris is attacked in her home. Not particularly unique, except that rather than reporting the rape to the police -- which, lets face it, probably wouldnt do any good -- she decides to take matters into her own hands and find the perp herself. She might have gotten more than she bargained for as the rapist begins taunting her, and without spoiling anything, when she finds out who it is it is not only surprising, but a bit anti-climactic. Verhoeven and his lead actress use the unusual, but clearly-told story as a vehicle for interrogating issues of sexual predation, sexism in the corporate world and much else. Rather well, I think.

Interesting. An ode to Isabelle Hupperts beauty.

Well...life is complicated...especially if youre French. But I actually kind of liked it in a perverse sort of way. Interesting story with a strong female lead.

ugh, Huppert is a great actor but geez, the storyline is rather unbelievable, and the happy ending is rather absurd....

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

After seeing this, I understand why the amazing Isabelle Huppert didnt win the Oscar. No way PC academy voters would honor a film or character like this. But I loved it for the most part and shes terrific in it. Way more watchable and satisfying than I thought it would be, right up until that smack with a piece of wood near the end. Thats the moment when Elle let me down and proved not to be as smart as I thought it was -- and concluding with a bunch of too-neat and unrealistic resolutions that betray the unconventionality of everything that came before. Still, this harks back to the early, great films of director Verhoeven like Turkish Delight and The Fourth Man. Definitely worth seeing.

I DID NOT LOVE IT, BUT IT WAS OK