The Flower of Evil (2003)

Three generations of a wealthy Bordeaux family are caught in the crossfire when Anne decides to run for mayor, thanks to a political pamphlet that revives an old murder scandal.

Director:

Claude Chabrol

Writers:

Caroline Eliacheff (original scenario), Louise L. Lambrichs (original scenario)

Stars:

Nathalie Baye, Benoît Magimel, Suzanne Flon

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nathalie Baye	...	Anne / Wife
Benoît Magimel	...	François / Gerard's son
Suzanne Flon	...	Aunt Line
Bernard Le Coq	...	Gérard / Husband
Mélanie Doutey	...	Michèle / Anne's daughter
Thomas Chabrol	...	Matthieu Lartigue
Henri Attal	...	Fanny's Father-in-law
Kevin Ahyi	...	First Kid
Françoise Bertin	...	Thérèse
Jérôme Bertin	...	Volunteer
Caroline Baehr	...	Fanny
Didier Bénureau	...	Brissot
Yvon Crenn	...	Yves Pouët
Michèle Dascain	...	Marthe
Jean-Marc Druet	...	Lab Assistant

Storyline

Anne runs for re-election to the town council, shepherded by Matthieu, her fellow candidate and campaign manager. Her husband, Gérard, a businessman and philanderer, hates the campaign and feels vindication when a nasty leaflet circulates about their family history. His son, François, just back from the U.S., is in love with his step-sister Michèle, and she with him, although something is amiss besides their being cousins. Watching it all is their elderly Aunt Line, who has her own haunting memories. A death in World War II and a death on election night collapse time in the perpetual present and bring unexpected expiation. There's a lot to celebrate.

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Plot Keywords:

stepbrother stepsister incest | stepbrother stepsister sex | sex with stepbrother | sex with stepsister | pamphlet | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief language

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

19 February 2003 (France)

Also Known As:

Die Blume des Bösen

Filming Locations:

Aéroport de Bordeaux, Mérignac, Gironde, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,419, 12 October 2003

Gross USA:

$182,163

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,587,959

Company Credits

Production Co:

MK2 Productions, France 3 Cinéma, Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Anne Charpin-Vasseur: You look upset.
Matthieu Lartigue: I imagine I do. Something awkward has cropped up. We should talk in private.

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Connections

References Casablanca (1942)

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Soundtracks

Un Souvenir
Music by Fernand Capitani
Lyrics by Oreste Rossi
Performed by Damia
Production CHANSOPHONE - RYM MUSIC
© 1942 EDITIONS PAUL BEUSCHER

User Reviews

Not a bad movie, not a good movie

I saw "La fleur du mal" at the San Sebastian Film Festival last september. Certainly, this last Chabrol film isn't a great movie, though it's not an awful movie either. One has the feeling while watching it (and after having it watched)that it is all filmed with too much distance, too cold, no emotions whatsoever. Chabrol's study of a french, provincial, upper-bourgeousie family, that is rotten to its roots (they are all a bunch of hypocrites), lacks of passion, interest (you have seen this story many times on film) and, in my opinion, of humor and sarcasm. But I insist, its not a terrible movie(with ticket prices so high nowadays, at least here in spain, sometimes you just have to get mad while watching some movies lately); its just too long, too conventional and too plain.