Jaula Amorosa

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.

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.

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.