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.

Kept hoping itd get better, but no.

Is the intent of this movie to tell a story that justifies rape? Very little about this movie is likable. There is some good acting, but the script is un-savable. All of the characters are despicable and there is no redemption. What is meant to be a climax and wrap up of the story feels like it was added only because a focus group said it should be. Plus, how old are the characters supposed to be? Seems everyone in the show is 15-20 years older than their characters. Good for them for being able to play younger but it made the story a little harder to follow and believe.

Isabelle Huppert is amazing in a story that is provocatively contrived yet with a grain of truth at its base. What starts out like some Hollywood revenge fantasy veers into workplace drama, deranged family farce and of course, sexual transgression. Its got all the earmarks of classic Verhoeven: venal men, strong, if bare breasted women, perverse twists, taboo toppling. the director seems to take especial glee in humiliating just about every character in some way or another. Its ultimately a pitch black comedy, with Huppert doing her best Buster Keaton: she takes a licking and pops back up with a sort of aggressive impassivity. It revels in going to extremes, but like a Lynch, Almodovar or Cronenberg movie makes weird sense on its own terms. The story is riffing on the phenomenon of how some victims of trauma come to find comfort, even pleasure in ritualized violence, BDSM, in this case, rape play. Hupperts character is the daughter of a notorious mass murderer grown up to be the CEO of a company that makes hyper violent video games. She seeks to dominate all around her, with mixed success, when a sexual assault puts her on a path of self discovery and acceptance. Really. Less in line with the directors more tepidly risque Hollywood output, Elle hearkens back to the giddy perversity of the The 4th Man. Which makes it kind of a homecoming for Verhoeven, finally returning to making the kind of movies he was clearly put on this earth to do.

Hard to categorize. One of the greatest performances ever. How can a movie with this subject matter be so darkly funny. Such a great, complex characterization. One of 2016s great films (or any years). Dont be put off - see it.

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 is a watchable movie. Very well filmed, wonderful set design. It has an intriguing plot that isnt predictable, and it doesnt lag. Great cast.

A good actress but a creepy movie

I couldnt even finish the last 15 minutes. No idea why professional reviewers liked it so much. What am I missing? The acting was great, but the story line was repugnant. SPOILER: When you are injured , vulnerable in a remote area, and need a ride, Im pretty damn sure you dont call your rapist for help. And thats not even the most hideous aspect of the plot.

Elles psyche is as bizarre as the videos she produces. She generated no empathy from me and no interest in her story. Miss Sloane is almost equally strange but I admired her smarts and strategy. Fred Dotterrer