Un crime au paradis (2001)

Un crime au paradis is a French film comedy first released in 2001, directed by Jean Becker.  The film stars Jacques Villeret, Josiane Balasko, André Dussollier, Suzanne Flon and Gérard Hernandez.  It has also been released under the title: A Crime in Paradise.  Our overall rating for this film is: mediocre.


After twenty years of marriage Hell, goatherd Jojo Braconnier has finally turned his thoughts to ridding himself of his odious wife Lulu.  The only thing holding him back is the fear that, if he is found guilty of murder, he will be guillotined.  But then, one day, he sees a news report featuring a brilliant lawyer, Jacquard, who has successfully defended over a score of domestic murderers.   Seeing a glimmer of hope, Jojo visits Jacquard and confesses to the murder he has yet to commit.   The lawyer can hardly believe his luck – yet another case which he is certain to win.  Encouraged by Jacquard’s optimism, and some helpful advice, Jojo returns home to carry out the perfect murder...

This lightweight black comedy was inspired by a well-known 1951 film La Poison, directed by Sacha Guitry and starring Michel Simon.  Whilst it may not be as satisfying as that earlier film, Un crime au paradis does have some appeal, thanks largely to its respectable cast, which includes at least three big name actors – Jacques Villeret, Josiane Balasko, and André Dussollier.  The film was directed by Jean Becker, whose best known films include the seductive thriller L’Été meurtrier (1983) and the nostalgic Provençal comedy Les Enfants du marais (1999).

As with many of Becker’s films, the dialogue is a tad over-written (with a load of jokes that just don’t work) and stylistically bland (even if the exterior photography is rather sumptuous).  The film’s biggest weakness is its ridiculous characterisation.  Villeret’s character is little more than a two-dimensional caricature of a country idiot, whilst Balasko’s is just so unbelievably vile that it’s hard to accept that Villeret hasn’t already given her the Norman Bates treatment years ago.  It is the lesser characters that are more interesting and better played.  The doyenne of French cinema, Suzanne Flon is delightful as the elderly schoolmistress, the one credible character in the film, whilst Dominque Lavanant provides the best laughs as the prickly spinster pharmacist, whose one pleasure in life appears to be the procuring of mole poison for disenchanted housewives...


© James Travers 2007

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