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.

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.

This movie is wonderful! Very suspenseful, sexy and well acted. Jane Fonda is great and Alain Delon just freezes the screen with his coolness. Action packed and full of twists and turns. Get this movie if you can! You will not guess the ending. If you like cool cars, great B&W shots, 60's seduction and French movies in general this is the one for you. Everything that was missing from THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY is in this forgotten gem.

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.

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 ****