Die Verführerin

Arguably the worst Tony Perkins' film that he did prior to the 1980s, this "comedy" in which he plays a bumbling spy trying to retrieve a file for the Russians concerning NATO military tactics, with the help of Bardot, is neither funny nor interesting. Don't bother with it.

This French film (English subtitles)is curiously lacking in depth, but I didn't hate it. Anthony Perkins is amusing, Brigitte Bardot is sweet and beautiful (as always) as the slightly simple-minded girl of Perkins' dreams.

Strangely paced with varying acting styles, this mid-60's spy romp rolls along with no real purpose.

A 5 out of 10. Best performance = Anthony Perkins. Even many of the words in the subtitles are spelled wrong. I haven't seen that too many times. Hard to REALLY recommend this, but if you're a BB fan or enjoy watching Perkins play a befuddled young man, you'll find something in this flick.

"Une Ravissante Idiote" is the third comedy directed by Edouard Molinaro, who first directed shorts, then excellent Films Noirs. And for this comedy, Molinaro gets a great cast with Bardot and Perkins, it must have been a new experience, also shooting some scenes in London. Bardot and Perkins is nice couple, they work well together. But the script is not enough well written, some scenes are poor and some are brilliant, thanks to the speedy way of shooting by Molinaro, mostly in the slapstick scenes. It's a fine comedy, but should have been much better.

This is a bit of everything, a serious crime story about a dossier that needs to be stolen, a minor part of a love story between the hero and the heroine, a slight tad of crime, and a good amount of comedy.

Perkins speaking French, fluently, the only thing he's able to achieve in his role in this movie. Bardot with a fortunate role, fortunate, because she can do a bit more than just being a sexy puppet.

The cast is great, the script, however, lackadaisical. Some really funny scenes intertwined, like when police cars try to stop their car, with a cadaver on the back seat. The old lady lying on the carpet, with her feet erect, like in "The Trouble with Harry".

Unfortunately, some of the 'funny' scenes are unfunny. Like Perkins chased by an aspirator, very silly laughing of Bardot (played in from tape), and some more, like the 1920s slapstick with Perkins and the fight with dog and shoe. This is the problem of the script, though. They tried to put everything and anything into this movie.

When I watched it for a second time, I saw it much differently, since I knew the complete plot, including the ending. Bardot is pretty good at doing what her role is demanding from her in the light of the complete plot.

It was Tony Perkins 'second film with a French director :the first one was André Cayatte 's "le glaive et la balance"("two are guilty") , an unfairly trashed thriller;René Clément had previously directed him in 1958 ,but it was an American production in which he was dubbed for the French version;by 1964 ,his French had vastly improved ,he was fluent in Victor Hugo's language which he spoke with a very light accent .

With the exception of "the matchmaker' it was also his first comedy : although anodyne ,it was certainly an act of self-renewal ,although the ghost of Norman Bates would follow him till his last breath (his last role " a demon in my view" is revealing)

In the comedy field ,against all odds, Perkins reveals himself a very gifted actor ,and his perfect command of French helps .His pairing with France 's most famous sex symbol of all time proved successfull. BB was peerless when it came to playing naive bimbos, (apparently) dumb bubblehead girls (see also " Babette S'En Va-t-En Guerre" ,"Viva Maria" ) It's sometimes useful to pass for a ravishing idiot,particularly when your car carries a Russian spy dead body and you are subject to egregious gaffes.

The screenplay is a spy thriller spoof ,with a far-fetched plot-though a warning reads :" this is based on a true story" ,before the cast and credits - ,it's sometimes hard to decipher the cock and bull screenplay (and the way BB sees it is riotously funny. As for Perkins,he is overtaken by events all the time ) .But I dare you to guess the final unexpected twist of this "avalanche project affair".

Another stand-out is Helene Dieudonné's mamie, a granny who never loses her British upper lip -although ,like her granddaughter ,she's not British at all- even when her life is at stake !