Les félins

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.

A story of twists and turns with a sticky sexual link. Jane Fonda and Alain Delon are reason enough to enjoy this French noir but there is more. Lola Albright for instance. Wow! She's a retro futuristic femme fatale. Then Rene Clement, the director of "Purple Noon" knows how to keep us on the edge of our seats without sacrificing that elegant center that makes the whole think work beautifully. "Joy House" was made a few short years after Delon starred in Luchino Visconti's "Rocco And His Brothers" This were Delon's superstar years and he uses the power of his stardom to confuse us and tease us to death. I'm not going to spoil it for you so I don't intend to reveal it but it has one of those endings that's not just fun and clever but totally unexpected. A very enjoyable semi-precious gem.

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 ****

After seducing the wife of a powerful mobster in New York, the bon- vivant wolf Marc (Alain Delon) travels to the French Riviera. However the mobster orders his gangsters to travel to France and bring Marc's head to him. They kidnap Marc but he succeeds to flee. Without any money, he hides in a mission for poor people. While donating food and supplies to the mission, the wealthy widow Barbara (Lola Albright) and her niece and housemaid Melinda (Jane Fonda) meet Marc and she hires him to be her chauffeur. He moves to a castle-like mansion and believes Barbara has hired him to have sex with her while Melinda falls for him. But Marc decides to investigate the death of Barbara's wife and discloses a hidden secret and that his life is in danger. What will Marc do?

"Les félins" is a suspenseful neo-noir film by the fantastic French director René Clément. The screenplay has many twists and two femme fatale with a great story. The only but is the adorable and irresistible Jane Fonda in the role of Melina. Marc (Alain Delon) is a handsome man but how could he resist to the sexy Melinda (Jane Fonda) in the top of her beauty? Better of a less sexy and beautiful actress in this role. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Jaula Amorosa" ("Love Cage")

Note: On 14 September 2023, I saw this film again.

Alain Delon has the perfect role as the ne'er do well young man, Lola Albright (sad & wonderful in LORD LOVE A DUCK) has commanding screen presence, and Jane Fonda is youthful beauty personified. Ms. Fonda was never more gorgeous than in this creepy little French Film. Those eyes. Nice job with the French language as well. Cool house. Interesting quirky musical score by Lalo Shifrin. Great B/W cinematography and strange "plot".

A 6 out of 10. Best performance = Jane Fonda. It's hard to describe what goes on in this one, but I couldn't get it out of my head for days. Nice atmosphere.