The Yellow Eyes of the Crocodiles

Good title, maybe the best feature of the movie. This movie walks on the line between bad movies and good ones. Let's say it's a "good" B-movie.

The story looks somewhat like a big mess, sometimes it works, sometimes you really feel like you should stop watching and do something else.

Same for the actors, sometimes they are OK, sometimes it doesn't work, sometimes they're good.

Anyway, actors and characters are moving, maybe that's what kept me watching even if the dialogues aren't always really good.

Too many things are wrong about "les yeux jaunes des crocodiles" and let me tell you it's a real shame because all the actors involved deserve better, even Samuel Le bihan whom wasn't that bad 15 years ago.

This is one of those movies best viewed without knowing much about its plot. It's a story about two sisters living in Paris, their children, and their partners.

This is the first time I've seen Julie Depardieu and she's just so watchable, even in the beginning when she's made to appear drab and dowdy. As the movie progresses, JD's beauty begins to outshine her sister's overt, empty sexiness, as portrayed by Emmannuelle Beart. All three leads (Depardieu, Beart and Patrick Bruel) are top notch. EB has not been a favourite actor of mine but in this movie, she's nuanced in the portrayal of a spoiled, self-absorbed, bored entitled Paris housewife and mother. Of course, Emmanuelle Beart is a beautiful woman, but it's intriguing how she begins to look haggard as the movie progresses. The cosmetic surgery makes her face appear clownish--so that helps. Julie Depardieu's performance is subtle and believable. There's a scene between her and the actress who plays her daughter that is heart-wrenching--it could have easily become over-the-top, emotionally manipulative were it not for JD's restrained performance. And, of course, seeing the lights, streets and buildings of Paris make the movie watchable, indeed.

Worth watching...

The overall rhythm is restrained, the narrative is not warm but smooth and natural. Unfortunately, there are too many details, so we should simplify them.

Two sisters, one is a grey mouse struggling historian (Julie Depardieu), and the other a glamorous kept wife (Emanuelle Beart). The latter wants to have her shining glory in the Paris socialite circle. She concocts a plan where both can help each other out, to reach their goals.

It is a story in the vein of George Cukor's, Rich and Famous (1981), rivalry between two women, concerning literary talent, marital status, and social status - and the love / hate underlying their close relationship.

That said, it is not on a par with aforementioned movie. This film feels rather stuffy with a very moralistic tone. The good people are very good, the bad people are very bad. And the latter deserve punishment. A bit infantile.

Nevertheless I enjoyed the film, mainly for the wonderful performance of Emanuelle Beart, who knows how to charm and cut at the same time.

Good complex story, funny and dramatic. How things are juggled with many balls in the air, and then all falls into place in the end is rather pleasant. There is quite a dramatic line, or two, going on though. Good quality film for it.