Mon crime

A character piece from well-known and much loved French cast, with witty scripting and well crafted twists.

Charmingly shot and well edited, the costumes and make-up reflect the period. The individual players are well matched and clearly defined, very much within the scope of French culture. One aspect that this film scores highly on is that it is not too long - unlike many Hollywood films which are overpadded with repetitious effects.

Cinema is a medium that targets particular audiences and this film hits the bull's eye. If you instantly forget 90% of a particular genre, then don't watch it. If you don't watch it, don't comment...

I've always preferred Francois Ozon when he's in a playful mood and he's certainly in a playful mood here revamping a creaky old play by George Berr and Louis Verneuil that's already been filmed twice before and giving it a bright new glow, dispensing with realism from the start. "Mon Crime" is definitely an old-fashioned comedy-thriller with nary a thrill to be found, silly enough to keep a soppy grin on our faces for most of its running time.

The daft plot has young actress Nadia Tereszkiewicz accused of murdering an over-sexed producer only to be defended in court, in something of a parody of "Roxie Hart", by her roommate and best friend Rebecca Marder and that's just the half of it. It's totally daft and thoroughly delightful with a superb performance from Fabrice Luchini as the investigating judge and if that's not enough there's always Isabelle Huppert as a wildly over-the-top actress insisting on her day in court. Minor Ozon but even minor Ozon can be a real treat.

With the BERLINALE 2002 classic 8 WOMEN, Francois OZON has already proven that excellent films can be made from tabloid pieces.

In Paris in the 1930s, two friends live in unsuccessfulness and abject poverty. One is an untalented actress (Nadia TERESZKIEWICZ), the other an unemployed lawyer (Rebecca MARDER). One day the actress is mistakenly suspected of having murdered an influential producer. Although she is innocent, she admits to the murder and is brought to justice. Represented by her friend, she achieved an acquittal. A triumph for both women! From now on there will be a hail of offers and mandates for both. But then the sophisticated Odette Chaumette (great as always: GOLDEN GLOBE winner and ACADEMY AWARD nominee Isabelle HUPPERT) appears: a faded silent film star who has not mastered the transition to sound films...

This charming morality play is based on a play by Georges BERR and Louis VERNEUIL. In 1937, Hollywood had already become aware of the clever material: TRUE CONFESSION (1937) with Carole LOMBARD and Fred MacMURRAY!

Established vedettes (film stars in French) like Fabrice LUCHINI, Dany BOON and Andre DUSSOLIER, but also young stars like Edouard SULPICE and Felix LEFEBVRE shine in the OZON version. In France, the film has already attracted more than a million visitors to the cinemas.

Once again a convincing piece of cinematic fun from France!

I have to say that this is really fast and funny, right from the very beginning. The pretty and splendid girls, Nadia Tereskiewicz and Rebecca Marder are wonderful and his judge Fabrice Luchini just as funny. We know there is a killing but we are not absolutely sure what is going on, but it is amusing and very fast, back and forward all the time. We have the court, just as much fun as that and then we have a breather and we realise that it is half way through. Then it starts again probably even more fast but for me it becomes like a farce and a bit silly BUT at this point we get Isabelle Huppert. She is always excellent and with this one she plays it farcically and she is really good. For me the second half is not really so amazing as the first but certainly just as fast and Huppert is remarkable even awe-inspiring.

Madeleine Verdier is a struggling actress in 1930s Paris. She is accused of murdering a famous producer and is acquitted with the help of her best friend, a young lawyer. Her newfound fame and success become too much for her to handle, and she eventually spirals out of control.

Set in Paris during a time of great social and political upheaval, The Crime is Mine depicts the city's glamorous nightclubs and seedy underworld with great accuracy. Director François Ozon captures the atmosphere of the time, reflecting the impact of the First World War and the rise of fascism in Europe.

This stylish and witty comedy-drama explores themes of ambition and the dangers of getting what you want. The film's tone is light and humorous for the most part, but it takes a darker turn in the second half as Madeleine's downfall begins.

Nadia Tereszkiewicz delivers an excellent performance as Madeleine, the ambitious and reckless actress, supported by a strong cast, including Isabelle Huppert as Madeleine's best friend and Fabrice Luchini as the charming and manipulative lawyer who defends her in court.

François Ozon is a master of stylish period drama, and he directs The Crime is Mine with a sure hand, creating a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film. The film's score by Philippe Rombi is a perfect match for the visuals and tone, reflecting Madeleine's own dual nature. The cinematography by Manuel Dacosse is also sumptuous and evocative, capturing the beauty and glamour of Paris in the 1930s, as well as the city's darker side.

The film is full of symbolism, such as the recurring image of the red dress that Madeleine wears, representing her ambition and desire to be seen. The production design is impeccable, recreating the world of 1930s Paris in meticulous detail.

The Crime is Mine maintains a brisk pace, with witty and sharp dialogue that is perfectly suited to the characters and the setting. Ozon keeps the audience guessing until the very end, making it a fun and entertaining film with a lot to say about the dangers of ambition and the importance of staying true to oneself.

One minor criticism of the film is that it feels a bit overlong at times, with a few scenes that could have been cut without affecting the story. The ending also feels a bit too neat and tidy for my taste.

I would recommend The Crime is Mine to fans of stylish period dramas and witty comedies. It is a fun and entertaining film that delivers a powerful message about the dangers of ambition.