Written for the Screen and Directed by François Ozon
Starring Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Rebecca Marder, Fabrice Luchini, Édouard Sulpice, Dany Boon, André Dussollier, and Isabelle Huppert

Little did I know until after completing my post movie watching reading that The Crime is Mine forms the final part of a trilogy after 8 Femmes (2002) and Potiche (2010). Inspired by American screwball comedies from the 1930s, The Crime is Mine is a loose adaptation of the 1934 play ‘Mon Crime’ that Hollywood have already adapted twice in 1937 and 1946, with True Confession and Hollywood: Cross My Heart, respectively.

Set in Paris during 1935, the film opens with young actress, Madeleine (Nadia Tereszkiewicz) fleeing from the home of a well-to-do producer. Claiming sexual misconduct, Madeleine’s housemate and best friend, Pauline (Rebecca Marder), an unemployed lawyer, agrees to help her. But things become complicated quickly for the young women when they are informed the famous producer has been killed.

Watching The Crime is Mine had greatly contrasting effects. Visually, there is a lot to savour and it’s effortlessly enjoyable. But narratively, this comedic crime caper is incredibly divisive. 

Acclaimed French writer and director François Ozon has secured an appealing ensemble cast who strut their stuff to perfection in a film that very handsomely reproduces the 1930s era it is set. Costume design, hair and make-up are all stand-out features in this movie whose very light-hearted tone is very easy to take to. Though its premise gets off to a promising start, it isn’t before long that watching The Crime is Mine felt akin to being on a first date with someone who possesses all the looks but loses any initial charm the moment they start (and won’t stop) talking! While the incessantly chatty script can be enough on its own to overwhelm due to the rapid pacing of dialogue exchanges, it is the extremely theatrical nature of these exchanges that proved to be completely off-putting for me. Surprisingly, not even the magnifique Isabelle Huppert (playing a silent film star whose character is based on famous theatre actress Sarah Bernhardt) could offer some distraction or save this film. Furthermore, these grating facets of The Crime is Mine overshadow any mystique the committed crime can bring the film.

The Crime is Mine is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from October 12th.

Moviedoc thanks Tracey Mair Publicity for providing a screener link to watch and review this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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