Les félins

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.

...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.

I can tell why Delon and Fonda were the wet dreams of the previous generation but nobody ever mention Lola Albright to me. She is exquisite, she exudes an European kind of thing and yet she's totally American. A cross between Doris Day and Ava Gardner. The film is a delight. A sexy thriller soaking in a sticky, tingly atmosphere. I've seen the English and the original French version. Go for the French, the adaptation of the dialogue in English is silly and pretentious. Although I don't like the idea of remakes this is one lends itself beautifully for a juicy rehash. I have a brilliant idea about how to update it, not to mention, how to cast it and as far as a director is concerned, I know the perfect one. I, of course, don't intend to reveal a thing here, you may steal the idea and strike a deal with Miramax.

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.

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.