Murderous Maids (2002)
Retelling of a famous French true-crime case has merit but suffers from serious narrative momentum problems. The film doesn't really flow -- rather, it lurches about from scene to scene looking for a little coherency. The direction is unobtrusive without feeling sterile, which is always an asset with these dramatizations... but really, the only reason to see this is to catch a whiff of Sylvie Testud's mercurial performance. Switching from stolid to feral in the blink of an eye, she gives the film what little kick it has. Other than that, you're better off watching Heavenly Creatures again.
Grade: C+
Retelling of a famous French true-crime case has merit but suffers from serious narrative momentum problems. The film doesn't really flow -- rather, it lurches about from scene to scene looking for a little coherency. The direction is unobtrusive without feeling sterile, which is always an asset with these dramatizations... but really, the only reason to see this is to catch a whiff of Sylvie Testud's mercurial performance. Switching from stolid to feral in the blink of an eye, she gives the film what little kick it has. Other than that, you're better off watching Heavenly Creatures again.
Grade: C+
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