8 Femmes (2002)

Directed by: François Ozon | 103 minutes | drama, comedy, family, crime, musical | Actors: Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Béart, Fanny Ardant, Virginie Ledoyen, Danielle Darrieux, Firmine Richard, Ludivine Sagnier

Filmmaker François Ozon is usually not someone who chooses the easy or predictable path. Whether slow character studies like ‘Sous le sable’, or something like ‘5×2’, which show the phases of a relationship from present to past, the viewer is always treated to something special. This is also the case in ‘8 Femmes’, in which Ozon for once does not take on a (leading) heavy theme, but does play with film genres in an interesting way.

The film pays tribute to traditional whodunnit stories and refers to films of the 50s and 60s through the brightly colored costumes (especially Ledoyen’s pink suit) and classic interior of the house. besides that the murder mystery is not the only thing that keeps the attention. Oh yes, of course you want to know who killed the master of the house – and above all, why – but the style of the film is also important here. ‘8 Femmes’ is, especially for a murder mystery, very funny. Because of the dialogue, the occasional theatrical acting, but sometimes also because of the songs. Yes, you heard that right: songs. ‘8 Femmes’ has to be pretty much the first whodunit in musical form. Imagine ‘Gosford Park’ where each suspect reveals his personal background through song and dance, while the rest gracefully rock along or sing “owls” and aaaaaa. All this together makes ‘8 Femmes’ a film like you’ve never seen before. If the story starts to interest you a little less after an hour, there is always the form to keep you busy.

And what an actress! An excellent selection of French top players from old to young. Danielle Darrieux, then eighty-five years old, plays the part of “Mamy”, who carries a dramatic secret with her. She plays the mother of Cathérine Deneuve, who still looks radiant and sexy at almost sixty years old. Deneuve gets involved in a real catfight with the mysterious Fanny Ardant, who portrays Deneuve’s sister-in-law in the film. Both ladies appear to have financial interests in the death of Deneuve’s husband. A very surprising interpretation is given by Isabelle Huppert, who for once does not play a nuanced, realistic character role, but gives shape to the neurotic, attention-seeking Augustine. With her red hair in a dull bun and the glasses of a librarian, she is supposed to represent Deneuve’s ugly sister. Not entirely believable perhaps, but at least she seems frustrated enough. Emmanuelle Béart, known from ‘Manon des Sources’ and ‘Mission: Impossible’, here plays the quiet, timid maid, who turns out to be a lot less timid than initially appears to be the case. The adorable Amélie-clad Virginie Ledoyen (known to the general public as DiCaprio’s sweetheart in ‘The Beach’) effectively takes on the Hercule Poirot role, while Ludivine Sagnier is superbly cast as her innocent (or at least innocent-looking ) sister. Firmine Richard rounds out the cast as Chanel’s housekeeper; a role that is important for the course of the story, but is not very memorable as a character.

With a funny, inventive script – that actually makes you care about some of the characters – in the hands of this group of women, little can go wrong. They all know exactly how to set the right tone for this special film and are filmed by Ozon in an involved and exciting way. With lots of close-ups, for example, when something essential is revealed and mutual reactions are important. The score is quasi-poetic, the songs funny and sometimes touching, and the snow-rich environment is wonderful. Just like the movie ‘8 Femmes’ itself.