Elle review: Paul Verhoeven returns for an extreme revenge thriller/ black comedy that plays as a deeply dark comedy. The glorious Isabelle Huppert stars.
Elle review by Paul Heath, LFF 2016.
Paul Verhoeven steps behind the camera for the first time in a decade for this twisted Cannes favourite which make its UK debut at the London Film Festival.
Isabelle Huppert stars as Michele Leblanc in this sexually-charged thriller laced with tons of black humour which is extremely violent from the outset. Leblanc is the head/ owner of of a video games company in Paris who is brutally attacked and raped in her home in the film’s opening frames. Her initial reaction following the brutality is simply brush herself off, take a bath and carry on with her daily routines, failing to report the incident to the police or, at first, tell any of her friends. Over the course of the rest of the movie Leblanc suffers from more mixed emotions in regards to the attack and the events that follow.
Vehoeven’s films can be magnificently sensationalised. His stamp is all over this movie – it is hyper-violent, maybe a little bit gratuitous in places and massively controversial in the themes it approaches. It is also very, very funny – all of the way through, which is the most surprising. What isn’t is the fantastic central performance of Isabelle Huppert following up on her other strong turn in this year’s romantic drama Things To Come. The actress is perfectly cast. One thing you can’t accuse Verhoeven for is his history in casting great actresses in very prominent, well fleshed out, though very controversial female leads.
Elle is full of Hollywood sheen despite its relatively low $5 million budget; the film skillfully shot by Stéphane Fontaine (who did a quite the job on this year’s other festival favourite Captain Fantastic, not to mention his previous work on the likes of A Prophet and Rust and Bone). There’s also a wonderful, building score from English composer Anne Dudley.
As for Verhoeven – well, he’s never been better and clearly he’s at his most free here, opting to make Elle in France as opposed to Hollywood which was the original choice. The Dutch filmmaker throws so much at us during the film’s 2 hours that we forget the horrific rape (much like the central character) – even though it is replayed over and over again. That’s the skill of a great storyteller – and a wonderful cast spearheaded by the fearless Huppert.
Elle is an extreme, punch to the guts that stays with you long after the credits roll. An intense ride into a world of extremely, strong women and sadomasochistic tendencies – the world of Paul Verhoeven. It’s great to have him back.
Elle review by Paul Heath, October 2016.
Elle plays at the London Film Festival 2016. It will be released in UK cinemas on 24th February 2017.
