Towards Zero (2007)
"L'heure zéro" (original title)

When Guillaume has the bizarre idea of inviting his ex-wife Aude to a family reunion at the luxurious coastal estate of his wealthy Aunt Camilla, his tempestuous new wife Caroline becomes ... See full summary »

Director:

Pascal Thomas

Writers:

Clémence de Biéville, François Caviglioli,

Stars:

François Morel, Danielle Darrieux, Melvil Poupaud

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
François Morel	...	Le commissaire Martin Bataille
Danielle Darrieux	...	Camilla Tressilian
Melvil Poupaud	...	Guillaume Neuville
Laura Smet	...	Caroline Neuville
Chiara Mastroianni	...	Aude Neuville
Alessandra Martines	...	Marie-Adeline
Clément Thomas	...	Thomas Rondeau
Xavier Thiam	...	Frédéric 'Fred' Latimer
Hervé Pierre	...	Ange Werther
Vania Plemiannikov	...	Pierre Leca
Jacques Sereys	...	Me Charles Trevoz
Valériane de Villeneuve	...	Emma
Paul Minthe	...	Heurtebise
Carmen Durand	...	Barrette
Dominique Reymond	...	Mme Geoffroy - La directrice du collège

Storyline

When Guillaume has the bizarre idea of inviting his ex-wife Aude to a family reunion at the luxurious coastal estate of his wealthy Aunt Camilla, his tempestuous new wife Caroline becomes filled with rage. Guillaume hopes that they'll become friends but the two women despise one another. But things turn ugly when Camilla is found dead in her bedroom - and only the trusty Inspector Bataille can put together the pieces. But as the Inspector untangles her mysterious death, he also begins to unearth dark family secrets, brewing jealousies, and perhaps even a murderer in their midst.

---

Plot Keywords:

servant | murder | hour in title | faked evidence | brittany | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Mystery

---

Details

Official Sites:

Studio Canal [France]

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

31 October 2007 (France)

Also Known As:

Towards Zero

Filming Locations:

Lancieux, Ille-et-Vilaine, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Français

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Agatha Christie Marple: Towards Zero (2007)

User Reviews

Towards zero

Pascal Thomas began his career with ponderous French comedies I 've never liked; then, in the naughties,he began to adapt Agatha Christie,with "Mon Petit Doigt M'a Dit" feat Thomas and Tuppence Beresford (the names were Frenchified ) and he used again the husband-and-wife detectives in his latest effort "Le Crime Est Notre Affaire".

I read "towards zero" a long time ago but I've got a vivid memory of it;once again the names were Frenchified : Nevile and Kay Strange (check the surname)became Guillaume and Caroline Neuville(sic);in the role of the wife ,Laura Smet (daughter of Johnny Hallyday and actress Nathalie Baye) overplays and turns the original character -an elegant mysterious woman- into a shrew :one really wonders why Guillaume fell for her.

The book begins,if my memory serves me well,with a long chapter depicting the numerous characters :like in any Christie book,all MUST have a reason to commit a murder;the first fifteen minutes are faithful to Christie's spirit.So is the rest of the movie ,although it almost verges on parody and it has not the entertaining side of "Mon Petit Doigt".Thanks to Danielle Darrieux (an old lady who has been working since ... 1931!such a longevity is absolutely stunning and the actress is as good as when she used to make movies with Henry Decoin,Julien Duvivier,Max Ophuls or (yes!) Billy Wilder and Joseph Mankiewicz) who enjoys smoking opium ,this is worth a look ,at least on a rainy day.