Elle

ok

Well, full of twists and tangential story lines, which can be good. Boundaries were definitely pushed. However, in this film, conclusions and resolutions were reached without being earned. Story lines just jumped from problem to the problem being solved, which is lazy writing. The performances were good, but ultimately the film left me disappointed.

I DID NOT LOVE IT, BUT IT WAS OK

Sometimes the stars align for a film, as is the case with the legendary French actress, Isabelle Huppert taking the lead in Paul Verhoevens in-your-face thriller, Elle. Both the story and the star are superbly matched, here. It is almost cliche to say that Verhoeven is controversial. Hardly any of his English-language films, from Robocop to Basic Instinct did not generate strident conversations. Elle was not different -- is no different -- in its uncomfortable look at the role a strong-willed woman plays in a still male-dominated society. A middle-aged CEO of a computer gaming company in Paris is attacked in her home. Not particularly unique, except that rather than reporting the rape to the police -- which, lets face it, probably wouldnt do any good -- she decides to take matters into her own hands and find the perp herself. She might have gotten more than she bargained for as the rapist begins taunting her, and without spoiling anything, when she finds out who it is it is not only surprising, but a bit anti-climactic. Verhoeven and his lead actress use the unusual, but clearly-told story as a vehicle for interrogating issues of sexual predation, sexism in the corporate world and much else. Rather well, I think.

A good actress but a creepy movie

After seeing this, I understand why the amazing Isabelle Huppert didnt win the Oscar. No way PC academy voters would honor a film or character like this. But I loved it for the most part and shes terrific in it. Way more watchable and satisfying than I thought it would be, right up until that smack with a piece of wood near the end. Thats the moment when Elle let me down and proved not to be as smart as I thought it was -- and concluding with a bunch of too-neat and unrealistic resolutions that betray the unconventionality of everything that came before. Still, this harks back to the early, great films of director Verhoeven like Turkish Delight and The Fourth Man. Definitely worth seeing.

This story calls for a strong-minded, level-headed female lead and Huppert is perfect for it. Ive always loved her performance but it took me a long time to make up my mind to watch this one because of the subject matter. It did not disappoint. Like many French films and unlike most Hollywood films, it has a main plot line and many sub plot lines which are just as intriguing. In the first half hour, it unfolds so well about the relationships and dynamics among the characters involved without wasting scenes to explain, just enough to keep the suspense going but not too much to insult our intelligence. Obviously we are kept on our toes all the way to the end on the question of who did it, but for me its also about the personal struggle of finally breaking free from ones painful past and starting to move on with living. She is so fearful of reporting the assault to the police because she does not stir up the public attention of the past--there she continues to let the past influence her actions and rule her life. Spoiler alert: at one point there is a conclusion to her past (the passing of her father), after which she starts making different decisions...At the end of the day, this is a happy-ending story. Before watching it, I had vaguely remembered review words like controversial and thought maybe it had something to do with her attraction to the aggressor. After watching it I have to say her attraction to the aggressor (without knowing who it is at the time) precisely highlights the point for many rape victims in real life, that what constitutes a rape is without the consensus of the victim, regardless of how attractive the aggressor is. On the other hand, I thought what could be a bit controversial might be how she refuses to forgive her father (and her mother for that matter) even when they are on their deathbeds. Most movies would have them reconcile somehow, but this plot is more honest. I dont personally have such a painful past with my family to be able to directly relate but I hope this detail is validating and comforting to those who can relate, and that it is okay not to forgive those who did wrong to you, as long as this feeling empowers and liberates you, like it did her.

Weird movie

**** 4-Stars **** Elle is simply she or her in French - and sometimes it. Paul Verhoeven, one of my favorite directors, teams up with Isabelle Huppert, one of my favorite actors, to make a film that is surprising, often shocking, and wholly fascinating. I will watch it again. Warning: this is one of the least politically correct flicks you will ever see - multiple rapes (which our heroine suffers stoically, and perhaps with some curiosity), lots of bed-hopping, and a handful of other things likely to annoy some viewers. But the real question is, can you accept a 63-year-old woman as sexy, strong-willed and a bit of a femme-fatale? French audiences clearly had no problem (Huppert is universally adored, and besides, Catherine Deneuve, a decade older than Huppert, already busted this glass ceiling a few times) - but Im not so sure Americans will be as comfortable with this. Go ahead, watch Elle - I dare ya. Vive la France!

Terrific!!! I love French cinema! And this movie doesnt disappoint!!