The French, more than any other culture, seem to have a natural flair for complicating things. From their fabled bureaucracies to the myriad ways of properly tying a scarf, one would almost suspect that they enjoy the enigmatic air fostered by such a reputation. This is clear when watching some French films. There are exceptions, of course. Straightforward comedies like The Valet and Tatie Danielle are readily accessible to almost anyone that appreciates a good laugh, and A Very Long Engagement fits nicely into the drama category. Then you have a slew of films that blur the lines between so many genres that you’re forced to just watch the movie without any expectations at all (this is not necessarily a bad habit, by the way). One such film is A Comedy of Power (L’lvresse du Pouvior). Directed by Claude Chabrol and starring Isabelle Huppert as judge Jeanne Charmant-Killman and...
Read more »