Monsieur Hire (1989)

A recluse is accused of murdering a young woman simply because his neighbors think he is strange.

Director:

Patrice Leconte

Writers:

Georges Simenon (novel), Patrice Leconte (scenario, adaptation and dialogue)

Stars:

Michel Blanc, Sandrine Bonnaire, Luc Thuillier

6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Michel Blanc	...	Monsieur Hire
Sandrine Bonnaire	...	Alice
Luc Thuillier	...	Emile
André Wilms	...	L'inspecteur de police
Eric Bérenger	...	Le gérant du bowling
Marielle Berthon	...	Pierrette Bourgeois
Philippe Dormoy	...	François
Marie Gaydu	...	La jeune fille du massage
Michel Morano	...	Le chauffeur de taxi
Nora Noël	...	La gardienne
Cristiana Réali	...	L'adolescente au bowling (as Christina Reali)
Bernard Soufflet	...	Le tatoueur
André Bauduin	...	Le consommateur de crèpes
Rozeen Landrevie	...	La petite fille au bouquet
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Francis Baudet	...	Le locataire sur le palier

Storyline

Monsieur Hire is a maladjusted, balding, middle-aged man living in France. He doesn't like to talk to people. A young woman is murdered and a police detective suspects M. Hire, just because his neighbors think he is strange.

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Plot Keywords:

peeping tom | brothel | voyeur | loneliness | tailor | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

June 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Monsieur Hire

Filming Locations:

Studios 91 Arpajon, Saint-Germain-les-Arpajon, Essonne, France

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,417,030

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinéa, Hachette Première, FR3 Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is included on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list.

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Goofs

In the opening shot of the film, you can plainly see the stomach of the 'corpse' moving up and down.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Q & A/Spaced Invaders/The Guardian/Monsieur Hire (1990)

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Soundtracks

Quatuor en Sol Mineur Op. 25 de Brahms
Music by Johannes Brahms (as Brahms)
Performed by Alexander Balanescu, Kate Musker, Tony Hinnigan, Michael Nyman
Edtions Musicales HACHETTE PREMIERE ET COMPAGNIE - KELLY MUSIC
Copyright © 1989

User Reviews

Another Winner For Leconte

Monsieur Hire

For a man who likes great cinematography, nice colors and a pretty female face, this film offers all of the above for me.

Director Patrice Leconte usually makes stylish movies and this is no exception. It's beautiful to view. So is Sandrine Bonnaire, the leading lady. I'll have to see what other films have her in them. There are numerous closeups of her in this movie. This French effort doesn't show much "skin," yet the film has an erotic appeal. That tells you something.

Michel Blanc, the male lead, plays a strange character but he's fascinating to watch, too.

To be honest, the film has its slow moments but it is mesmerizing at times, too. The story is interesting overall and aided by two surprise twists at the end.

I am perplexed and frustrated over why this film is not available on DVD on which this great photography could really be shown off.