Rien ne va plus

I have seen and recorded this movie by Claude Chabrol on the TV. I have been a fan of Chabrol's films for many many years. Let's say that the suspense master Claude Chabrol is the French equivalent to Alfred Hitchckok. The actors Serrault and Huppert are good but the one that I found particularly excellent is the head mafiosi who listens to the opera in the mafia Caribbean quarters. What a presence, what a good actor! It is also good to see a movie that is not saturated with special effects as films are done now, with excess. I hate those special effects because they are never perfect illusions, and they almost never fool me. Films are also always enhanced by the nice scenery they contain and "Rien ne va plus" is no exception. Actress Marie Dubois is in the film for a small role, but I have been unable to identify her. Can someone identify her for me, please? Thanks. YC

The movie is certainly lighter Chabrol, with a plot that inherently depends on his frequent theme of the ambiguous relationships between people and their capacities for deception, but generally chooses to concentrate on understated elegance: even when Huppert finds a man dead in the bathtub with a spike through his eye (a moment of genuine shock value even though you more or less know it's coming) the nastiness is quickly absorbed into sophisticated exchanges with the (rather cliched) gangsters. The ambiguity extends to the relationship between the two protagonists, which appears to be father-daughter although the movie often seems to be hinting otherwise - the long lingering final shot is probably the final tease in this respect. Serrault plays his character in an engagingly grumpy, short-fused manner, which contrasts pleasantly with Huppert's pure show of elegance. Even though the opening scam seems like a dress rehearsal for a more complex and challenging movie than we ever actually get, the thing glides by most enjoyably; no less so for the faint air of slumming.

Claude Chabrol is the master from the French New Wave who specialized in mysteries with sordid characters but aside from only a few hints of Chabrol's flare, this is a predictable "Swindle" film. Story is about an older conman named Victor (Michel Serrault) and a woman named Betty (Isabelle Huppert) who are clever but mainly smalltime thieves. We see Betty at a casino flirting with a businessman and when he's not looking she spikes his drink. They end up in his hotel room and he passes out. They steal some but not all of his money so that when he wakes up he won't be sure if he gambled it away or not. Then Betty decides to run a scam on a financial courier (Francois Cluzet) for a crime syndicate who is suppose to transfer 5 million Swiss francs but of course they plan the old "Switcharoo". After this happens the head of the syndicate named Monsieur K (Jean-Francois Balmer) escorts the two of them to his place and wants his money back! This is definitely not Chabrol's best effort but its not because its not well made, it is. But the material is so familiar that at times the film seems run of the mill. There are some nice touches like Victor always being mistaken at the hotel for an employee. The script does have you guessing about certain things like the relationship between Betty and Victor. Are they lovers? Is he her father? A few times during the film Betty calls him "Father" but it might be a pet name and they might also be tutor and student. And the caper itself is never clearly defined as we suspect that Victor had the whole thing planned ahead of time. Usually the characters in Chabrol's films are complicated and challenging for the viewer but thats not the case here. Its definitely a lightweight effort and while its mildly interesting mainly for watching another re-teaming of Chabrol and Huppert, its nowhere near Chabrol at his best.

Betty (Isabelle Huppert) and Victor (Michel Serrault) are an unusual pair of con artists. She, in her forties, and he, in his seventies, share a relationship that defies definition: are they friends, lovers, or perhaps relatives? The ambiguity of their bond, brilliantly portrayed by the actors, lingers throughout the film, even up to its conclusion.

Specializing in small-time cons, Betty and Victor take on a far more ambitious scheme when she seduces Maurice (François Cluzet), a corporate treasurer, to steal 5 million Swiss francs. What begins as a meticulously planned heist soon spirals out of control as they become entangled in money laundering, plunging them into a perilous situation unlike anything they've faced before.

With sharp black humor, Claude Chabrol masterfully blends comedy and thriller elements, creating an atmosphere that shifts seamlessly between levity and suspense. The influence of cinematic greats like Lubitsch and Hitchcock is evident in the interplay of lighthearted moments with darker, more sinister undertones.

As the plot thickens, the audience is drawn into a web of intrigue where nothing is as it seems. The intricacies of the central con leave one wondering if Betty and Victor are not only deceiving their mark but also each other, sustaining a thrilling sense of unpredictability throughout.

"Rien ne va plus" is literally 'Mere nothing no more' or 'Trifle never again'. The con game is the premise, the relationship is the anchor. Go in with no expectations and be an observer to Chabrol's "The Swindle". Sit back, relax and enjoy the pairing of Isabelle Huppert and Michel Serrault -- they look so comfortable together.

He's a pro, definitely knows his con "art" and scam skills. She's a quick learner, a smart protégée. The age difference does not matter. The real relationship? Why, let it be. They are at ease with each other. Papa and daughter, business partners, lovers, whatever the relationship, they understand each other, know each other's quirks and habits, and yes, complement each other's life. C'est si bon. C'est la vie.

Chabrol does not hit you over the head with what he's trying to convey, nor give us over the top violent actions or sequences. It's like a French cuisine meal well served, no hurriedness, with connoisseur wine accompanied. We're first introduced to how the pair works together, their con artistry in low-key fashion and not overly ambitious about the profit they reap. In fact, Victor (Serrault) is a decent man, he makes sure they do not clean out the target's wallet.

Victor is alert and protective. He lets Betty (Huppert) have free rein. "You know I love you and I can live without you," he said to her when she wants to take a break -- going away for a few days before the next project. Actually Betty is trying to do a "project" on her own -- perhaps to thank Victor for taking care of her and providing the opportunities for her steady flow of income. Perhaps she wants to see how good she can be -- without him by her side all the time. Perhaps she wants to know she can make it on her own -- and bring him income vs. the usual trifle way.

Somehow Betty needed Victor's help, and unexpectedly, the pair is no longer small time con artists -- it's big time, "the administration" is involved! She meant well. He knows. He appreciates. He's attached and tries to save both of them out of the mess. Victor is such an artist at this. As we follow the pair, we eventually can tell what Victor's moves and thinking could be. We guess with him. We're afraid for him, and her -- ah, he would have.but, he would not.. Yes, that's what he would do. But, would he? Would she?

It's vintage Chabrol indeed. I remember my first Chabrol film was "The Does" (Les Biches) 1968. I noticed Isabelle Huppert when she was in "The Lacemaker" 1977 followed by "Violette" 1978 (another Chabrol). Michel Serrault played opposite Emmanuelle Beart in "Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud" -- what a gem! These French films are all pretty much for mature audience consumption. You will be able to appreciate if you can take French pace in stride.