Elle

Once upon a time, Paul Verhoeven was the hottest director in Hollywood, helming such box office hits as RoboCop and Basic Instinct. But a couple of disappointments (oddly, everyone I know loves Starship Troopers and Showgirls is regarded as a camp classic) is all it takes for studios to turn their back on you these days, so Verhoeven took his talent back overseas (he was born and raised in the Netherlands and didnt start directing American movies until the mid 80s - the underrated Flesh and Blood) where his style of sex, violence, and a good dose of humor seems to work best. This is the case with Elle, a movie that would be dead serious if it was made in Hollywood by anyone else. Thankfully, its French and helmed by Verhoeven – making it one of the more uniquely entertaining movies youre likely to come across. French actress and Academy Award nominee Isabelle Huppert ( indeed, one of the best and bravest actors currently working) stars as Michèle, who we see getting raped by a masked man (dressed all in black) in the movies opening moments. While this horrible event would be the cause of two hours of angst for a character in an American movie, Michèle treats her rape rather clinically, although that doesnt mean she doesnt become focused on both finding ways to protect herself and well as hoping to unmask the perpetrator – who begins a game of taunting her after the events take place. Michèle works for a videogame company whose specialty is creating violent and sexually exploitive games, so she immediately begins to suspect that one of her employees (maybe a current one, perhaps a former one) is the man who raped her. Others in Michèles circle of friends and acquaintances are also suspicious. I will confess to pinpointing who the person was as soon as his character is introduced in the movie, although I dont know if it will be that obvious to everyone who watches the film. However, the identity of the person is just the first surprise in the movie, as Michèles response is far from expected and may even turn some viewers (especially females, I suspect) off. I will say that knowing who it is (or having a pretty good idea) didnt take away any of my enjoyment, which is a good indication that the film holds up to multiple viewings and is much more than a whodunnit. The movie also has a great excuse why our lead character doesnt take her problems to the police; Michèles father was responsible for some horrible crimes at which she was present (as a little girl). The crimes were horrendous enough that complete strangers will shout awful things at her, and one woman (early in the movie) actually throws a tray of food on her in a public restaurant. Michèle treats that moment so nonchalantly, that viewers will know its happened to her many times before. But for all the seriousness of the subject matter here, the real surprise of Elle (which, incidentally, isnt a nickname for the main character but rather the French word for she) is what a wicked sense of humor is has. Not in the laugh-out-loud kind of way (although I certainly did so a few times), but in a dry, subversive way. Theres a great subplot here involving Michèles son (Jonas Bloquet) and the rather questionable girlfriend (Alice Isaaz) hes chosen for himself that goes places I dont think a Hollywood movie would dare (wait until you the scene where she gives birth!). Unfortunately a lot of us avoid foreign movies because you have no desire to sit and read subtitles for two hours – I sometimes feel the same, but I encourage you to give this movie a chance. If youve loved Verhoevens work here in the States, youll get that same feeling with Elle. I dont know that its the directors best movie, but its definitely a contender. Vital Disc Stats: (The Blu-ray.) Elle arrives on Blu-ray in a standard Sony-type blue keepcase (the kind with the flap on the side you need to lift up to open the case) and contains no inserts. The 50GB Blu-ray is front-loaded with trailers for Equity, Julieta, Toni Erdmann, Maggies Plan, and Our Little Sister. The main menu consists of a still image of actress Isabelle Hupperts character and the cat in the movie (the same image that graces the back of the keepcases slick), with menu selections horizontally across the bottom of the screen. The Blu-ray is region-free.

This 2016 movie was a good entertainment, but not as great as I expected. Be careful of the critics reviews, as usual. I thought it was easy to suspect the bad guy sooner in the development of the story when it was not the buy guy yet. Huppert is filling her role which, as always with her, is deeply tormented. This noir movie, based on Philippe Djians Oh is a Germano-French collaboration directed by the well-known and also very tormented Verhoeven. Michele is a separated woman who, with her best friend, is at the head of a video game company. She seems to like to control everybodys life, from her mother to her ex, though her son and his girlfriend, without forgetting her team; but one day...

Weird movie

Isabelle Huppert, extraordinary and exquisite actress! Deserved awards for best actress and best foreign film in the Golden Globes.

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.

ugh, Huppert is a great actor but geez, the storyline is rather unbelievable, and the happy ending is rather absurd....

For the great acting and very good production. A very twisted story, but not too far from reality for some. I wanted to stop watching it at one point, but I could not. Have you own experience.

Too. Violent

A good actress but a creepy movie

This movie was very different! It was good but kind of unbelievable as far as her personal relationships in the story went. Don’t want to spoil anything; I would recommend just to hear other reviews.