Customer Reviews

Violette

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First let me tell you. I own the Koch-Lorber DVD version of this film. It is a terrible transfer. The picture quality is shockingly bad and the film is in 1.33:1 (but should probably be in 1.66:1, or even more than that). This is, unfortunately, the only DVD of the film with English subtitles, that I know off.

The film is based on the true story about Violette Nozière, and takes place in 1934. Violette, a teenager, plays the innocent young girl at home but spends her days and nights with men who desire her. Her life becomes complicated when she is diagnosed with syphilis and has to acquire a lot of money to keep her latest lover happy.

Violette is the first of many films Chabrol made with Isabelle Huppert in the lead (others include Story of Women, Madame Bovary, La cérémonie and The Swindle). Isabelle Huppert is amazing in her role and it is mesmerising to watch her go from being so sexy and cold woman to an innocent and warm child. This is a dark and difficult drama, which tries to stay away from taking sides, but rather shows the mystery.

SPOILERS! Violette kills her father and defends herself by alleging that he had molested her. Chabrol's never tells us whether Violette is lying or not. Also was she always so cold or is she like this because she was molested by her father (if that happened at all) or is this personality changes do to syphilis? We are never told.

I gave the film 8/10

Violette Noizzere is a striking and devastating portrait based on real facts about a girl with a weird behavior due unsaid tragic events in her early adolescence. That sexual abuse will cause a fatal and ruthless vengeance with unpredictable consequences.

The amazing performance of Isabelle Huppert (one of my five beloved French actress ever) deserved her the Golden Bear Prize in Berlin 1976.