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Overview
La Piscine is a French thriller film first released in 1969,
directed by Jacques Deray.
The film stars Alain Delon, Romy Schneider, Maurice Ronet, Jane Birkin and Paul Crauchet.
It has also been released under the title: The Sinners.
Our overall rating for this film is: very good.
Synopsis
An unemployed writer Jean-Paul lives with his lover Marianne in a luxury villa near to
St Tropez. Their languid summer break is disturbed by the arrival of Marianne’s
former boyfriend, Harry, who turns up unexpectedly with his daughter Penelope. Despite
appearances that their past differences have been settled, old enmities between Jean-Paul
and Harry soon begin to resurface – with deadly consequences…
Film Review
A former real-life couple Alain Delon and Romy Schneider are re-united on screen in this
compelling psychological drama, one of Jacques Deray’s best-known films. The film
revolves around a dangerous love triangle, with virtually all of the action taking place
either in or by an outdoor swimming pool in a villa. Whilst the plot is somewhat
thin, a combination of sensual photography and great acting make it a film which is well
worth seeing.
Alain Delon is on fine form, giving one of his darker performances, a perfect contrast with Romy Schneider’s gentler yet equally tough portrayal of Marianne. Maurice Ronet and Jane Birkin complete the formidable menage à quatre, with Birkin’s young age and broken French making her character the most vulnerable and the most disturbing member of the ensemble. Jacques Deray is probably better known for the detective thrillers he made in the 1970s and 1980s. In La Piscine, the director shows a surprising artistic flair which is lacking in his later films. With an almost existentialist minimalism, he creates a chilling portrait of male rivalry and jealousy. © James Travers 2002 Write a review for this film... User Comments
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Related links
More French Crime/ThrillerMore French Drama Recent DVD releases |
Credits
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