Un crime au paradis
2001 Comedy
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Credits
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Summary
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...
Review
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 Write a review for this film... |
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