Les félins

Handsome gigolo in Paris, on the run from murderous thugs hired by the husband of one his conquests, takes refuge at a religious shelter; there, he meets and becomes employed by a wealthy, mysterious widow who lives in a neo-gothic castle on the Riviera. Why she picked him to be her chauffeur--and why she orders two identical uniforms for him--is just part of the mystery. Director René Clément keeps this skeletons-in-the-closet adaptation of Day Keene's novel twisty and engrossing, with incredulous Alain Delon in constant jeopardy. Lola Albright is intriguing as his benefactor, while young Jane Fonda is wry and funny as Lola's sex-starved cousin in lust with Delon (who struggles with his English, though this is shrugged off with amusing swagger). Flashy technique, expressive black-and-white cinematography by Henri Decaë, lovely score by Lalo Schifrin, and many clever turns of the screw. *** from ****

I love Jane Fonda and Alain Delon, and have seen several of their movies, so I just HAD to seek this one out. It was interesting enough, thankfully not too overlong, at just a little over 90 minutes, but dear god, that plot! I really tried to follow it but after awhile just kind of gave up. It's a ridiculous story but still intriguing enough if you like these 60s French gems. Delon's performance isn't great but who cares, he's Alain Delon, just look at his face. And Jane Fonda....oh wow, I believe this was the beginning of her journey into making sultry French films. I love Jane but this isn't her best performance or French movie. Check out "The Game is Over", it's much better than this and Jane sparkles in it. But you should have fun with this one. Now all they need to do is release "Circle of Love", the only one of Jane's French films that isn't available.

...only "Plein Soleil" ("Purple noon" -the talented M.Ripley first version- ,a first Delon/Clement collaboration ,is superior.

The director's other thrillers were marred by unbearable metaphysical pretensions ("La Maison Sous les Arbres" " la Course du Lièvre à Travers Champs" "Babysitter" ...)which the use of American actors did not help.

A black and white film ,a strange choice for a story which takes place in a luxury mansion on the Cote d'Azur ,the cinematography is in direct contrast to that of "Plein Soleil" .Whereas the former work was often filmed in open air ,at sea,in "les felins " ,we almost never go out of the Fonda/Albright's place.The screenplay is absorbing ,a la Boileau-Narcejac (who wrote "Diabolique" and "Vertigo" ) and the suspense is sustained throughout the story. (I particularly dig the scenes with the car at the end).

It was actually René Clément's last good movie.All that follows is virtually disposable.

A French playboy named Marc(Alain Delon) seduces the spouse of an American gangster who sends his hoodlums after him . Marc on the run from the mobsters terminates on the French Riviera . He hides out by becoming the chauffeur to rich heir named Barbara(Lola Albright) at the Ghotic château that is also where he knows her niece(Jane Fonda)working as servant and continuously tries to seduce him. Meanwhile the goons have got his whereabout.

This intriguing film also titled¨ The love cage¨ contains suspense, noir drama, romance,thrills and splendid acting. Strong main cast formed by Alain Delon, actor most used in Rene Clement films (Blazing sun, Joy of living, Is Paris burning ?), furthermore the American actresses as an attractive mature Lola Albright and a gorgeous Jane Fonda who is always hot for him. As trivia to detach the secondary appearance of George Gaynes, the famous commandant Lassard from Academy Police series. Thrilling and exciting script based on novel titled ¨Joy house¨ by Day Keene. However the argument is a little complicated and full of plot twists. Adequate cinematography in white and black by magnificent cameraman Henry Decae. Atmospheric soundtrack with catching leitmotif by Lalo Schifrin, a classical musician from the 60s and 70s, even today composing . The picture is well realized by Rene Clement . He's an expert on thrillers(Baby sitter, House under the trees, Rider on the rain) and WWII films(Is Paris burning?,The damned, Battle of the rails), resulting to be his best one titled ¨Forbidden games¨. Rating: Good and better than average. This nice movie will appeal to Alain Delon and Jane Fonda fans.

Les Felins is a very advance for it's time with uniqueness, the modern theme and twisting multi-plots. It's been so very underrated but in a way this protected it from being commercially spoilt, which had kept it's class and intelligence.

The film is a marriage of french elegant dark film and new wave raw but done in a so stylish but not too arty, in a very balance cinematic intrigue and pleasure. With the surprising humours, quirky action and thriller drama between characters.

Almost all the characters have great presence, acting and perfectly cast. Even the mafia gang (like the 60's rat pack) hunting down Marc have such an appeal to suave henchmen.

Example the main ones are Alain Delon as Marc (gigolo, living off women, fugitive from American mafia, while in hiding he is being a seducer chauffeur)- Delon himself cannot be refuted to be perfect epitomize of magnetic don juan. Lola Albright as Barbara (philanthropist, cougar, millionaires, mistress of the estate)- Albright even at middle age can rival hotness in class, elegance and beauty any top vogue models. Jane Fonda as Melinda (charity worker, niece of Barbara, playing the maid, love struck of Marc)- Fonda is such a great pleasing to the eyes of any male seeing her at this age and her very alluring attractive female hotness. Overall the three of them have such appeal of sexiness that it actually transpire into cinematic pleasure, on top of their top acting abilities.

Rene Clements have really captured a great almost perfect flow of how this story evolve. He had few modern for it's time elements (not to mention objects)that created distinct actions, dialogue, close interactions and developments of suspense to antithesis to demise of thriller story.

The critic to this is that you will wish it was also released dubbed in English, the film was in colour and added more scenes.