Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Isabelle Huppert | ... | Michèle | |
Laurent Lafitte | ... | Patrick (as Laurent Lafitte de la Comédie Française) | |
Anne Consigny | ... | Anna | |
Charles Berling | ... | Richard | |
Virginie Efira | ... | Rebecca | |
Judith Magre | ... | Irène | |
Christian Berkel | ... | Robert | |
Jonas Bloquet | ... | Vincent | |
Alice Isaaz | ... | Josie | |
Vimala Pons | ... | Hélène | |
Raphaël Lenglet | ... | Ralf | |
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Arthur Mazet | ... | Kevin |
Lucas Prisor | ... | Kurt | |
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Hugo Conzelmann | ... | Philipp Kwan |
Stéphane Bak | ... | Omar |
Michèle seems indestructible. Head of a successful video game company, she brings the same ruthless attitude to her love life as to business. Being attacked in her home by an unknown assailant changes Michèle's life forever. When she resolutely tracks the man down, they are both drawn into a curious and thrilling game-a game that may, at any moment, spiral out of control. Written by SBS Productions
"Elle" means "She" - the whole movie is seen through the eyes of the character played by Isabelle Huppert, a woman being victim of an aggression in the first scene of the film.
From there you will probably be unable to predict the plot, as its structure doesn't follow the rules we've been used to. At one point during the screening I thought the movie would end soon but it went on and was still engaging. At first you might think it's just a thriller but the writing has more to offer and deploys in original ways.
Isabelle Huppert delivers a great performance playing a strong female character, something quite rare in movies.
The film can be quite shocking, but never gratuitous. Verhoeven's ability to balance a serious drama with his usual "funny" ways is thought provoking without being ponderous. This dynamic was always Verhoeven's strength, even in this kind of more "auteurish" work.
Don't await slick Hollywood style here, but a somewhat dark & gritty satire on human relationships.
Loved it, can't wait for Verhoeven's take on Jesus