Review by dbdumonteil

Molinaro's career cannot boast a lot of masterworks:most of his movies are commercial ,the likes of "la cage aux folles".But there are exceptions,notably "un témoin dans la ville""Arsène Lupin contre Arsène Lupin",and mainly "la mort de Belle" and the overlooked "Ironie Du Sort".

Adapted from Georges Simenon,"la mort de Belle" is a psychological detective story,with a topflight cast,including the excellent Jean Desailly,Alexandra Stewart,Yves Robert and Monique Mélinand.The subtle dialog was written by famous playwright,Jean Anouilh.A young American student (Stewart) lives with a forty-something couple,a teacher (Desailly) and his wife.The gorgeous girl is strangled and the teacher is the main suspect.Overnight,his private life is violated ,plain for all to see.Using cleverly the flashbacks,Molinaro reveals secrets,and shows that what is left unsaid may have dreadful consequences.

Despised by everybody,from his (vice-)principal to the girl's mother,the teacher does not know where he stands anymore,and tragedy awaits around the corner..

A gripping drama,that will keep you interested till its last pictures.If you should only see one Molinaro movie,this is definitely the one to choose.