L'Appartement Reviews

Another example of French cinema at it's best...

This is without doubt, one of the finest European films of the 1990's. Vincent Cassel is on top form here as he plays Max, who becomes entranced by a beautiful woman only to become trapped in anothers web. This is a classic love story tragedy, with an brilliant plot and excellent performances from Cassel and Belluci

This is a must-see, and yet again proves the mastery of French film-making over everyone else

[Highly rated reviewer]

Not a masterpiece but a superior thriller nevertheless

Vincent Cassel storming his way through another film deespite that somewhat gormless look that comes naturally to him. Very much a French-do-Hitchcock and it was an interesting attempt even if it doesn't quite come off.

Despite the Hitchcock influence/homage I think the film was strong enough as a story to stand on its own as a thriller and although the references are very strong and it could have been deemed to be a rip-off if they hadn't made the homages so strong, I think it would have been better to go with a more modern score to reflect the characters. In that way I don't think the score matched up with the characters in the film.

Unusually for a French film I also thought that some of the scenes weren't shot that well, mainly the outside shots but that's a minor point when you consider their impact on the film.

Overall the story was very good with what I thought was an excellent ending. A thriller no doubt but it was a thriller intertwined with an underlying sense of passion and love which is what pushes it just above an average thriller.

A slice of French perfection

This is one of those rare movies where everything works. The script is intelligent, the acting faultless, it looks absolutely marvellous and this being a mystery, keeps twisting and turning keeping you riveted.

An exceptional mystery drama about obsessive love that plays like a thriller.

Cannot recommend high enough. Sheer class. Oh, and Bellucci has never looked better.

No Subtitles

There are no English subtitles on this film, although it says subtitles in English on the listing. What a shame!!

No subtitles

I was very excited to see this DVD, but was sorely disappointed to find that there were no English subtitles! All the menu titles and even the cast biographies were in English funnily enough, but the actual film required you to be a French speaker to understand. I'm sure it's a great film, just didn't manage to understand a word of it.

A really excellent thriller

A fantastic film. The events unfold at a pace which guarantees to keep you hooked until the very last scene. The storyline is refreshingly unpredictable and original. Thoroughly enjoyable.

A french classic

This is the type of film you can watch again and again. There's so much to enjoy. The plot comes together like a perfect jigsaw. The performances are all brilliant, especially Bohringer, who creates such a sympathetic, complex character. It looks good too.

Is there really an American remake. When will they learn, you can't improve on perfection?

Very Good

This is a good film. Thats all you need to know. Great acting, absorbing atmosphere and excellent twists. There are some wallys on this website arent there? The ones who complain about there being no subtitles. If they dont automatically come up, switch them on in the menu screen. You tools.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Bonjour L'Appartement

French love movies are great. You can stalk people, stare at strangers, fall in love three time in as many hours, burn ex's clothes in bath tubs, behave irrationally, lie, drink coffee, drink more coffee, and argue with big nosed men 24 hours a day with no-one questioning any of your actions.

L'Appartement is exactly one of those movies and it's great. How couldn't it be?

Bellucci and Vassell are electric as per usual, and the clever unravelling narrative is compelling as the real story slowly reveals itself.

A great love story watch it with your partner. Or give it to them to keep them happy whilst you go down the pub.

Tres bon.

Great twisting storyline

This is one of the best structured film plots i have seen for a long time. Many of the bad reviews are due to the lack of subtitles - so if you do not speak French and have the subtitles then you are in for a delight. The story builds throughout the film, excellent, and highly rated.