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 | voyeur | tailor | apartment | boxing match | 

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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 Siskel & Ebert: The Best Films of 1990 (1991)

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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

Not For Everyone, But a Suspenseful, Erotic, Sad Thriller

If you've ever been in a love triangle, or were kind to someone who loved you but you didn't really love them in return, you'll appreciate the sad dance of the three main characters in this film. A young man and woman are lovers, and she is watched by her neighbor, the unpopular Mr. Hire, black sheep of a Paris near-suburban nabe. They begin a friendship, and even a relationship of sorts, while a cop tries to pin the murder of a young local girl, also an odd duck, on Mr. Hire. Not wanting to spoil the story for you, I won't say more, except to say that the slow parts are tolerable if you know in advance that this is a very thoughtful, haunting movie and you've got to be a little patient for the wonderful reward, which comes right at the end. Very pretty music, beautiful colors and details, lots of sad little moments that remind you of the loneliness of daily life. I wouldn't actually recommend this to most people. I don't think they'd tolerate the lack of Hollywood flash. If you're smart, you'll watch it though. I got it on DVD at a public library and wish I could see it on a big screen, though the DVD images are very lovely.