À double tour

A man and his wife are in a marriage on the brink of collapse, as he has been having an affair with a younger woman, Leda. They have a quiet son who spies on the maid through a keyhole, when she's half-dressed. And, they have a daughter, who's engaged to a no-account bum, Jean-Paul Belmondo. The mother dislikes him, but the father has nothing against him. These are relatively minor details that make up this rather subdued yet intense study of the breakup of a family due to infidelity. Everything lies just under the surface ready to bust - in the form of the mistress being killed. There are several key suspects, but it will be obvious to those who are paying attention to little things and comments. "A Double Tour" is an interesting and modest little film made worthwhile by good thoughtful performances by its actors.

I found this film very accessible. It has become one of my favorites. The film is about an eccentric close-knit dysfunctional family. The characters are quirky, borderline bizzare but real. They are obstinate, boorish, brooding, insulting, conniving and philandering. Their roles are in constant conflict, but the comedy derives from It's smooth ensemble acting and impeccable timing. Some of it's shenanigans are highly cultured slapstick. Their personalities intertwine with French culture in odd ways. Perhaps that was a redundancy. I was pleasantly surprised. I'm not going to say any more because I don't want to ruin it for you. You should see it.

In the countryside of France, the dysfunctional House of Marcoux is in crisis: the patriarch Henri Marcoux (Jacques Dacqmine) has a love affair with the gorgeous red-haired neighbor Léda (Antonella Lualdi), a lonely artist that has just arrived from Japan. However, Henri does not want the divorce, since he is interested in the vineyard, the house and the income that belong to his wife Thérèse Marcoux (Madeleine Robinson) and the children.

Thérèse is a traditional bourgeoisie woman that is worried with the appearance and gossips about her family. Their son Richard Marcoux (André Jocelyn) is a weirdo mama's boy that loves classical music and is attached to his mother. Their daughter Elisabeth (Jeanne Valérie) is dating the reckless gold-digger Laszlo Kovacs (Jean-Paul Belmondo), who has become friend of Henri and does not respect Thérèse. Their maid Julie (Bernadette Lafont) is an easy woman that has sex with the milkman Roger (Mario David). When Léda is found dead in her house, the police inspector investigates the murder and Thérèse and Roger are suspects.

"À Double Tour" is an original dramatic thriller by Claude Chabrol in his third work, about the murder of a woman where several characters may be the killer. The plot is well developed, with a great cast including very beautiful actresses. It is curious to see that "Psycho", that was released one year later, uses mother and son elements of this 1959 film by Claude Chabrol. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Quem Matou Leda?" ("Who Killed Leda?")

Note: On 23 November 2024, I saw this film again.

Chabrol always could turn on the new-wave schizophrenia. Overly hyper at times, inspired at others.

Based on the novel "La Cle de la Rue Saint-Nicolas," a wine grower of not some little means, finds himself beset with problems on all sides, from his wife, his children, his best friend.....even his lover! Well, truth be known, SHE has problems herself - she is murdered!

Chabrol does a fair Hitchcockian impression, filming the demise of the mistress as he does, entirely with mirrors. Arguably the highlight of the movie.

To appreciate this film it would definitely assist to have had some exposure to French Cinema in the past. You may otherwise find the Chabrolian experience a rude and possibly confusing awakening. Be that as it may, this example of new-wave French artistry is understandably held in high esteem in many places.

An advice for those are willing to see this bad picture, firstly you may be drunk, smoked some ma-riju-ana and others stuffs to start and not to suffer in early moments, after all you will need it ahead, mostly by Jean-P. Belmondo's nasty behavior, further all characters are under pressure by unknown disturbing, here also the director is including in the list, scarcely loved, embittered people, after fifteen minutes don't try turn off the DVD player remember yourself how much money you had spent to get it and mainly no refund allowed after to break seal... you must to go ahead, there are an average final that worth to see, you will feel some sort of relief watching it entirely you've stay clear that you are paying sins from your previous life... think about!!!

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First watch: 2018 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 5