8 Women (2002)

If this exuberant, colorful romp were merely an exuberant and colorful romp, that'd probably be enough (especially these days). But there's an undercurrent of sadness that keeps threatening to bleed through (and occasionally does; note, for instance, Isabelle Huppert's musical number, or the final melancholy five-minute finale). Emotionally fulfilling light entertainment -- is it really that hard to do, people? I mean, jeez. Francois Ozon proves he may yet become the world-class director his films occasionaly prophesize. Great performances by a stellar cast, too -- Huppert turns in her second great performance of the year, with this rambunctious, knockabout comic performance serving as both a compliment and a counterpoint to her stunning, reserved work in The Piano Teacher, but my biggest huzzahs go to Emmanuelle Beart, who steals every scene she's in just by smoldering and saying as little as possible. She's electric. Only complaint: After a while, the musical numbers felt more obligatory and superfluous than anything.

Grade: B+