L'Appartement (1996)
Directed by Gilles Mimouni

Film Review

L'Appartement is the remarkable debut film from director Gilles Mimouni, an extraordinary, almost unique blend of thriller and romantic comedy which constantly has the spectator hooked and surprised.  The quality of the cinematography (which is at times breathtaking in its originality) and sublime acting performances make it a compelling work, easily earning its place as one of the best French films of the 1990s.

Despite the absurdity of the plot, which involves an improbable five-sided love triangle, L'Appartement is both an enjoyable and highly imaginative film.  Its narrative structure is an innovation in cinematic story-telling, weaving seemlessly between past and present.  The film is the cinematic equivalent of a jigsaw, the pieces represented by the differing persectives of its principal characters.  It is only at the end, when all the fragments come together in a shattering climax, that we see the whole picture and understand what has gone before.  It is an approach which works brilliantly, although it creates an excruciating sense of tension and suspense.  The film constantly teases the audience by doing the opposite to what you expect.   Even the great Hitchcock could probably learn a thing or two from this film, which is clearly influenced by his work.

Vincent Cassel and Romane Bohringer lead a very strong cast, both giving very creditable and intense performances, and the stunning Monica Belluci was nominated for a César in 1997.  The film won the Best Foreign Independent Film at the British Independent Film Awards in 1998.

Film Synopsis

Max is about to set off for Tokyo, where he intends to get married to his fiancé and start a promising executive career.   Quite by chance, he overhears the voice of a former girlfriend, Lisa, in a café.  Recalling the time they spent together a few years ago, Max becomes obsessed with meeting her again.  He tracks her down to her apartment, and hides there.  Instead of Lisa, he finds another girl in the apartment.  She says her name is Lisa and Max immediately concludes he has been pursuing the wrong girl.  But in the wardrobe he finds a pair of red shoes which he gave to his Lisa just before they were separated...