Redwarmin
This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place
Breakinger
A Brilliant Conflict
ChanFamous
I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.
eliot7011
I think a little familiarity with T.S Eliot's play The Family Reunion, from which Chabrol undoubtedly draws and also with Burnt Norton is necessary to fully appreciate the film. The notion that the past is not really past at all, but a part of the relentless present is the driving force of the film. The footfalls of the past echo in memory, almost in Bergsonian duree. The protagonist coming back home after quite a number of years, skeletons out of the closet, clandestine and forbidden love affairs are archetypes that is at the deep structure of the film. At the core there is a dialogue between the past and the future, in the eternal present.
gridoon2018
Despite its deceptively calm exterior, "The Flower Of Evil" is probably one of Claude Chabrol's most ambitious movies: he tackles a wide range of topics here, including marital infidelity (plus the thought of it), (possible) incest, the joy of happy memories and the pain of sad ones, the burden of guilt, political ethics, and history repeating itself to an almost supernatural degree. However, the script (which he co-wrote) is a bit too muddled; I've watched this film twice now and I probably still couldn't draw an error-free family tree for these characters if I had to. The exact nature of the relationship between Benoit Magimel's and Melanie Doutey's characters remains puzzling to the end (are they cousins? Half-siblings? Step-siblings?); nonetheless, their first intimate scenes together are highly erotic (Doutey is amazingly beautiful). The film is splendidly acted all around, especially by Suzanne Flon as Aunt Line. **1/2 out of 4.
lastliberal
Everybody has them in their closet. Most of us manage to hide them quite well. Those that run for public office are just asking for trouble these days especially.Just ask John Kerry or Sarah Palin. Ask about swift boats or trooper-gate. Those things come out in the wash. Even the local politicians have things like unpaid taxes and questionable associations that are brought to light.But, murder? is that unusual. Not really, as it came up in the Clinton campaign in the form of unproven accusations.Here, in a French film that most American audiences would not watch, we have actual murders being alleged. Also some fooling around being hinted at, and associations with Nazis (that was also used with Bush in reference to George's grandfather).The film is slow, but exciting. You are watch each character closely to see who is good and who is evil. But, it is not that easy, as those who appear very good, have some evil in their past.The acting was superb and the story was very good. The direction was excellent as the story flowed at the right pace and headed in the right direction.Worth your time if you like watching characters interact.
westpenn49
It is easy to see the hand of Claude Chabrol in this movie. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. It is good when the story is taught and lean and the nature of evil in the human soul is explored. It is bad when the music gets so heavy handed. The rim shot effects that I loved in Le Boucher are annoying in this one.On the other hand Chabrol teases us wickedly. When it is over we aren't sure who is related to who, or more precisely how they may be related. Wicked man.A bit of a guilty pleasure perhaps. It is too bad that there has yet to be a director to step up and take Chabrol's place. I loved the young people and as an American the takes on American tastes were precious.
