The Cousins

Well that went dark pretty quickly.

Unusual plot that creates interest but struggles somewhat in the dramatic impact department, and tries to overcompensate in the end. Quite convincing as a portrayal of a certain age group of 1959 Parisians. Fresh when judged historiographically, if still a little green by Chabrol standards.

Oh, the pleasures and the failures of young life in Paris. One is bohemian and flamboyant, always partying with friends, flirting with everyone around, while his cousin arrives in Paris to study -- eventually falling in love and getting pretty obsessed with exams after she and his cousin start dating and living the three of them in the same flat. So provocative, yet so poignant and full of melancholy. Hints of tragedy are all over and left for last.

I love Charles' arc. It's a great performance but also well written, giving us a view of a fish out of water with some vulnerabilities, but not one who is crippled by them. The depiction of his flaws in the context of his strengths, and contrasted with the world in which he finds himself, feels very honest. I know Joe is necessary as the other side of the coin, and it's a strong performance from Brialy, but the film gives them equal time when it really should be Charles' film.

competent film about familial jealousy, but with a tendency toward blandness. in fact that seems to be something that could be applied to claude chabrol in general. also that he's the least new wavey of the new wave directors, and will probably end up my least favourite of the cahiers critics, though this is only my second of his.