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Diabolique review

Posted : 4 years ago on 22 April 2020 08:30

Stark, impressionistic photography and a suspenseful, decidedly baroque plot combine to elevate this horror-tinged thriller above the commonplace potboiler fare of the time. "Diabolique" is tonally reminiscent of Hitchcock, albeit more effectively woven with an unmistakable noirish streak. Henri-Georges Clouzot's ingenious direction is conversely realistic and expressionistic, catalysing its drama and tension from the conspiring females at the core of the story, spurred by a cool Simone Signoret and an agitated Vera Clouzet.

Loaded with peril, histrionics and disquiet from the outset, "Diabolique" executes a conspiratorial, sinuous storyline without registering as calculated artifice merely for entertainment purposes; the winding narrative course leads to an expected yet satisfying climax that only serves to heighten its then-revolutionary plot-driven complexity, but it is the film's visual tenebrosity pregnant with portent that entices one to view it more than once.


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A classic

Posted : 12 years, 4 months ago on 2 January 2012 05:15

Since I kept hearing some great things about this flick, I was really eager to check it out. Eventually, I was really impressed by the damned thing and I think it completely deserves its stellar reputation. Apparently, back in those days, the biggest rival to Alfred Hitchcock was the French director, Henri-George Clouzot. They were actually both competing to make this movie but, eventually, Clouzot was the one who had the honor to adapt this best-seller and he did it with great success as it became an instant classic. Indeed, some older movies didnโ€™t grow old very well but this one is still pretty damned amazing, even after all these years. Basically, the directing was quite amazing and provided a mesmerizing eerie atmosphere. The cast included one of the biggest French stars Simone Signoret and also Vรฉrat Clouzot and they both gave some impressive performances. In my opinion, this movie is the perfect example that you don't need any shootings, explosions or chases to make a fascinating thriller. The characters, the dialogues, the shots build up the tensions, that's it and that's more than enough. To conclude, it is a great classic and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you are interested in French movies.



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worthy of Hitchcock

Posted : 16 years ago on 27 April 2008 04:52

Clouzot directs with a cruelty that combines a nastily tangled storyline worthy of Hitchcock with three strong performances (one of which is the beautiful Simone Signoret) and a seedy setting.
There are scenes of physical horror, but Clouzot also sets the flesh creeping with incidences of ordinary nastiness.


The remake with Isabelle Adjani, Chazz Palminteri and Sharon Stone just isnโ€™t as scary or eerie as the 1954 original.


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