The Swindle (1997)
"Rien ne va plus" (original title)

Betty and Victor are a pair of scam artists. One day Betty brings in Maurice, a treasurer of a multinational company. Maurice is due to transfer 5 millions francs out of Switzerland, and ... See full summary »

Director:

Claude Chabrol

Writer:

Claude Chabrol

Stars:

Isabelle Huppert, Michel Serrault, François Cluzet

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Isabelle Huppert	...	Elizabeth / Betty
Michel Serrault	...	Victor
François Cluzet	...	Maurice Biagini
Jean-François Balmer	...	Monsieur K
Jackie Berroyer	...	Robert Chatillon
Jean Benguigui	...	Guadeloupe Gangster
Mony Dalmès	...	Signora Trotti (as Mony Dalmes)
Thomas Chabrol	...	Swiss Desk Clerk
Greg Germain	...	Chatty Man
Nathalie Kousnetzoff	...	Blond Woman
Pierre Martot	...	Conventioneer
Eric Bonicatto	...	Conventioneer
Pierre-François Dumeniaud	...	Conventioneer
Yves Verhoeven	...	Pickpocket
Henri Attal	...	Greek Vendor

Storyline

Betty and Victor are a pair of scam artists. One day Betty brings in Maurice, a treasurer of a multinational company. Maurice is due to transfer 5 millions francs out of Switzerland, and Betty is convinced he plans to steal that money. On whose side is Betty - Victor's, Maurice's or only her own?

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Plot Keywords:

money | scam | holiday resort | beach | criminal gang | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

spanish official web site

Country:

France Switzerland

Language:

French Hungarian

Release Date:

24 October 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Swindle

Filming Locations:

Hotel Waldhaus, Sils-Maria, Kanton Graubünden, Switzerland

Box Office

Budget:

FRF 60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$25,696 (USA) (24 October 1997)

Gross:

$231,417 (USA) (25 June 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

MK2 Productions, TF1 Films Production, CAB Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Tosca"
("Come e lunga l'attesa !.. Presto su! Mario!")
By Giacomo Puccini
Performed by The Philharmonia Orchestra (as le Philharmonia Orchestra) with Plácido Domingo (credited but not use his part), Mirella Freni, Ralf Lukas (uncredited), Bryan Secombe (uncredited)
et Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli
Edition Ricordi Milan - Editions Salabert
par autorisation © 1992 Deutsche Grammophon
avec l'aimable autorisation de Polygram projets spéciaux

User Reviews

Substandard Chabrol

What a viewer makes of a film very much depends on the expectations that he or she brings to it. I had previously seen five other films directed by Claude Chabrol and considered all of them impressive. "Rien ne va plus" came as something of a disappointment. Though recognisably the work of the same director, it struck me as markedly inferior in terms of atmosphere and depth - which is not to say that it is a bad film by general standards. The quality of the acting is very high. Isabelle Huppert (Betty) is always extremely watchable, and Michel Serrault (Victor) is equally subtle. Their characters may not be the most credible of thieves, but the first part of the film, showing their practised hotel-based criminal double-act, is polished and amusing. After this, my enjoyment of the film steadily diminished. That none-too-original plot device, a briefcase full of banknotes, comes to the fore. (Criminal 'capers' have never much appealed to me.) When the action then moves to Guadeloupe, it turns into a run-of-the-mill gangster film (a genre that I like even less). I found myself waiting for the end - and, when it arrived, it might have come from Hollywood.

Viewers who do not view it with my preconceptions and aversions may certainly enjoy "Rien ne va plus". It is undoubtedly a well-made film. In future, though, when I recommend the works of Chabrol, while drawing attention to "Les biches", "Que le bete meure", and "Merci pour le chocolat", I may add the proviso: 'But I wouldn't bother with "Rien ne va plus". It's nothing very special in comparison'.