Product Details

• Actors: Catherine Deneuve, Charlotte Rampling, Ludivine Sagnier, Isabelle Huppert
• Directors: François Ozon
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Subtitles: French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: Unrated
• Run Time: 204 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B00023D35Y
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #172,255 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This Dvd will play on all Region 1 DVD players - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Plot Summary for 8 femmes (2002) -In a home in the snowy French countryside, an industrialist has been murdered. There are eight suspects, all women: his wife, Gaby (Catherine Deneuve); their two daughters, Suzon (Virginie Ledoyen) and Catherine (Ludivine Sagnier); Gaby's neurotic sister, Augustine (Isabelle Huppert), and greedy mother (Danielle Darrieux); the industrialist's floozy sister, Pierrette (Fanny Ardant); the cook, Chanel (Firmine Richard), and the new maid, Louise (Emmanuelle Béart). The phone is dead, the car has been damaged, and the house is isolated because of a snowstorm. So it's up to these eight women to discover who among them is the murder, as well as uncover various hidden secrets from each other that include greed, jealousy, pregnancies, adultry, theft, hidden love, and, perhaps even, murder. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ; -Plot Summary for Swimming Pool (2003) - Sarah Morton is a famous British mystery author. Tired of London and seeking inspiration for her new novel, she accepts an offer from her publisher John Bosload to stay at his home in Luberon, in the South of France. It is the off-season, and Sarah finds that the beautiful country locale and unhurried pace is just the tonic for her--until late one night, when John's indolent and insouciant French daughter Julie unexpectedly arrives. Sarah's prim and steely English reserve is jarred by Julie's reckless, sexually charged lifestyle. Their interactions set off an increasingly unsettling series of events, as Sarah's creative process and a possible real-life murder begin to blend dangerously together.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars François Ozon and The Women, November 15, 2005

By	L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (fountain valley, ca United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

Two fabulous but very different films from François Ozon. "8 Women" is wonderfully fun Christmas murder mystery/comedy and "Swimming Pool" is a quiet thriller, character study, with subtle changes. One thing for sure, both films revolve around some of the most interesting characters, and involve a most distinguished international cast.

"8 Women" ("8 femmes")...5 stars

When I saw the cast of this one, it practically jumped into my cart all by itself. The cast includes some of the most wonderful international actresses around.From the legends to the young stars I figured I couldn't go wrong with these names... Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emanuelle Beart, Fanny Ardent, Virginie Ledoyen, Danielle Darrieux,Ludivine Sagnier and Firmine Richard. I figured right.Insert tongue in cheek and get ready for 8 times the fun.

When a wealthy family plans to spend Christmas together in their secluded home, the unexpected happens. Marcel, the only man among all the women, is found murdered in his own bed. The women who all immediately begin to suspect each other, are snowed in and have found the phone wires cut.The eight women, including Marcel's wife, daughters, mother in law, his sister,sister-in-law, the maid and the cook all have motives, they all have secrets, and they are all about half a bubble off the plumb. Whodunit? It's a great treat finding out.

After my first view,I was originally planning to go 4 stars on this film as my standard for mystery/comedy is "The Pink Panther", but this film was so highly entertaining and fun I know I will get years of enjoyment for myself and anyone else who views it.And as I write this I know I can't wait to watch it again. The actresses are brilliant,work exceptionally well together, and the story totally engaging. Each actress even gets her own clever and fun musical numbers to perform as well. It was written and directed by Francois Ozon and adapted from the Play by Robert Thomas.

The actresses won 2 prestigious awards for their wonderful achievement as an ensemble. A Silver Berlin Bear from the Berlin Film Festival and Best Ensemble form the European Film Awards as well. Director François Ozon was also recognized with a Reader Jury of the "Berliner Morgenpost" at the Berlin Film Festival. It was also nominated for several other awards.

The film is very French! It is rated R for some adult thematic situations(lesbianism, adultery) but I found nothing offensive or graphic about it.

"Swimming Pool"(4 stars) is a subtle thriller, not one that hits you over the head with slashers or will have you jumping out of your skin with fright. Here, Ozon examines the characters of a middle aged, frigid and frumpy, murder/mystery writer, and the young, sensuous woman who reawakens her vitality and senses. Both are in need of love.

Sarah is a popular British author. She has written a series of mystery books revolving around a much loved detective character. She feels though, it's not enough anymore, she needs a change. Change of pace, a change of direction, a change of style, and change of scenery. She's about to get more then she bargained for as she retreats to her publisher's house in the beautiful countryside of France.

Almost immediately she feels refreshed. Ideas are flowing through her already to the pages. That is, until, her peace and quiet is interrupted by the appearance of Julie, the secret and seemingly unwanted daughter of John, the publisher. Julie brings a halt to the quiet atmosphere Sarah has embraced. She's a young, provocative,whirlwind of life, as she enters the scene, and is the opposite of Sarah in every way, including her never ending need to feel loved. Julie's wants and needs have her bringing home a different man to her bed every night. Sarah seems disgusted by Julie's lifestyle, even to the point of using ear plugs, to block out the sounds of the love making going on so close to her. Julie on the other hand, sees Sarah, as an "old bag".

As the story and the characters develop though, we see big changes in both of these very different woman. For Sarah, the ear plugs come out, and soon we begin to see a reblossoming as Julie intrigues and beguiles her. Julie warms to Sarah, and seems to feel something with her that is missing from her life as well. Sarah finds Julie's life erotic and a much more interesting topic then her detective character. Many of the subtle changes are taking place right around the swimming pool on the grounds. Sarah's demeanor changes even more drastically, she seems almost thrilled, as the two must work together to cover up a murder, one that could have jumped off the pages of one of her books.

The two women in this story, kept me intrigued even after the second view. It also left me with some questions. It is implied in the story that Julie's past had some big sordid mystery. This part is never fully explored, and left me wanting to know more about it. It may have been more of an eye-opener as to Julie's behavior.

Charlotte Rampling's portrayal of the stuffy English woman, who undergoes big changes is wonderful. If you have seen her in earlier roles, you will know what a versatile actress she is.
Ludivine Sagnier is more then just eye-candy. She brings a nice depth to the character of Julie.

If you are looking for a thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat, you should probably pass this one by. This is a quiet thriller, that may make you work a bit, and if you like that, you will like this film. It also may not be suited to everyone as it is quite a provocative film. Renting it first may best.

5 stars for a great package deal on two fine films that will stand up to many repeated viewings.

enjoy...Laurie