Eva

This movie ended right after its prologue. You are left wondering what was it? Isabelle Huppert, at 65, should stop playing a seductress if she remains fully clothed in all scenes. A body-double could also be used if her age is the problem. Visual effects keep her face ridiculously youthful and it is in contrast with the faces of male actors that show their real age. Leading actors performances were good, and that is ALL I can say about this "movie".

I decided to see 'Eva' made in 2017 by Benoît Jacquot for two reasons. The first and foremost is of course the presence of Isabelle Huppert in the cast. The second reason is that every time I decided to watch a film by Benoît Jacquot I came out much more satisfied than most other viewers, if we assume that the average of their impressions is correctly reflected in the average rating on IMDB. I wasn't wrong this time either. Isabelle Huppert is in 'Eva' as magnetic as she always is, a magnetism that radiates even if the character she plays is seemingly more austere or more discreet, a way of saying that there is something fascinating in any person and especially in any woman, you just have to find the right actor or actress who will play the role. As for the average rating, it is abysmal on IMDB, and this time (and it happens very rarely) my personal rating is over two points higher. 'Eva' is a film that interested me and took me in its world, although it is a somewhat bizarre and not very nice world. No wonder, because the source that inspired the film is a 'noir' novel by James Hadley Chase that also inspired the screenplay of another movie more than half a century ago by a director no less interesting (Joseph Losey) and an equally fascinating actress in the lead role (Jeanne Moreau).

The two main characters in 'Eva' lead a double life. Bertrand (Gaspard Ulliel) is an impostor writer who has earned an ephemeral glory by stealing the manuscript of an old playwright and who enters a crisis when his publisher is demanding a new literary creation. Eva (Isabelle Huppert) is a luxury prostitute who practices her profession in order to raise the money needed to release from prison the husband described to customers as 'traveling'. Bertrand and Eva meet as fake selves and start a relationship triggered by the curiosity of the man who sees in the woman the character of the future book or play that may save his career. They are separated by the age difference and especially by the layers of lies that surround them. However, their approaching is dangerous, especially for the man. Relationships based on lies must be kept at a strictly functional level. When Bertrand tries to break aside appearances he will endanger himself and those around him.

I liked the way this story is written. The games played between imaginary and real, between imposture and emotion, as well as the issue of age difference are approached with subtlety. Of course, not everything is explained and clarified, but the same thing happens in life, especially in relationships between people who have many things to hide. Isabelle Huppert and Gaspard Ulliel are here together again on screen, ten years after they had been mother and son in 'The Sea Wall', and their performances excellently describe the ambiguity, tension and shadows of the relationship between them. The narration has tension and rhythm. Without being a masterpiece, the film is in my opinion a more than acceptable psychological thriller. It's hard for me to understand why the film was rejected by many critics and a large part of the audience who watched the film. It is possible that it all started with the wrong decision of the producers and distributors who sent 'Eva' in competition to Berlin, a festival known for the preferences of juries for films with a social message and coming from off-mainstream cinema schools. In my opinion, however, 'Eva' deserves a much better fate than the current IMDB rating indicates. Maybe the future will be more generous with this film.

It was okay, however it felt a bit unfinished at times because there was so much going on but a lot of it remained untouched and unresolved. Because of that the film felt a bit all over the place most of the time and had too many lose ends. The result of that is that it appeared a bit boring and even tho it did not have a long running time you felt the lengths. The acting was okay. Isabelle Huppert was pretty good and added the right wit to her role. It was enjoyable to see her playing that character. Gaspard Ulliel however was a big bore. You did not care too much for his character, especially because he did not make it very relatable. It was a douche and in the end you rather left with the impression that he did not get his dues, or at least not enough. The film was nice to look at. Some really nice sceneries. Lovely and detailed production design. The score felt a bit out of place . Its a shame the film did not deliver more because the key topics were interesting enough but it is one of those missed opportunities. Oh well, at least worth to see for La Huppert.

This movie is a trash !!! Isabelle Huppert is so old in this picture - what she want supposed to be? Sharon Stone in "Basic Instinct"(1992)??? Spread this leg, spread that leg? I have big boos let see!!! Makes me wanna urrrr... (vomit) I personally suggest Huppert is suitable to be a cleaning old woman who work in a hotel's...male TOILETS forever in this movie!!!

And the lead young actor - is he insane or just lost his mind (Eva hit his head by ashtray) - interesting to have relationships with an elder auntie ??? Urrrr again!!! (Hope my review can give you some options)

It was okay, however it felt a bit unfinished at times because there was so much going on but a lot of it remained untouched and unresolved. Because of that the film felt a bit all over the place most of the time and had too many lose ends. The result of that is that it appeared a bit boring and even tho it did not have a long running time you felt the lengths. The acting was okay. Isabelle Huppert was pretty good and added the right wit to her role. It was enjoyable to see her playing that character. Gaspard Ulliel however was a big bore. You did not care too much for his character, especially because he did not make it very relatable. It was a douche and in the end you rather left with the impression that he did not get his dues, or at least not enough. The film was nice to look at. Some really nice sceneries. Lovely and detailed production design. The score felt a bit out of place . Its a shame the film did not deliver more because the key topics were interesting enough but it is one of those missed opportunities. Oh well, at least worth to see for La Huppert.