One Deadly Summer
Complex story of rape, murder and bungled revenge in a small village. French language with English subtitles. Read more
| Starring | Isabelle Adjani, Alain Souchon, Francois Cluzet, Jenny Cleve |
|---|---|
| Director | Jean Becker |
| Genres | Thriller, World Cinema |
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One Deadly Summer
Complex story of rape, murder and bungled revenge in a small village. French language with English subtitles.
| Starring | Isabelle Adjani, Alain Souchon, Francois Cluzet, Jenny Cleve |
|---|---|
| Director | Jean Becker |
| Studio | NOUVEAUX PICTURES |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Thriller, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: French |
| Dubbed | None |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 20 Aug 2004 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Exploiting her beauty to disarming effect, Isabelle Adjani won a César for her smouldering performance in this deceptively complex thriller. Working from his own novel, Sébastien Japrisot fashions a script that consistently disconcerts the viewer as the narrative focus shifts between Adjani's vengeful temptress and her besotted husband, Alain Souchon. Similarly director Jean Becker refuses to mislead us simply with appearances, as what seems to be a study of provincial boorishness is overtaken by more sinister events. Atmospherically photographed with a roving camera by Etienne Becker, this meticulously paced picture is a tad overlong, but it's undeniably dark, daring and disturbing.
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For the first twenty minutes or so, this looks like an all too familiar chirpy French rural comedy: wiggly,... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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89 out of 89 people found this review helpful
What is happening to Cinema?
If nothing else, One Deadly Summer is an effective example of how Hollywood's increasing ambivalence towards writers and story-telling is contributing to the global 'dumbing-down' in today's media.
The familiar story of rape and revenge is presented here in a complex, emotive and realistic manner, with an outstanding performance by Isabelle Adjani (perhaps better known today for her role in La Reine Margot). The Director Jean Becker sensibly offered the characters time and space to evolve on screen, ensuring the audience is given an opportunity to feel emotionally connected to the story.
One Deadly Summer is an increasingly rare example of how a simple idea can result in powerful Cinema if the film-makers are given creative freedom. Any attempt at a remake would would no doubt result in heavily edited scenes to accommodate 'test screenings' and 'market demographic' (and the inevitable clear moral conclusion that Hollywood loves so much).
If your attention span can accommodate more than 97 minutes viewing without special effects, this film will move you. Isn't that a refreshing change? -
Most recent members' review
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Passes the test of time
A wonderfully evocative French film set in Provence and a rare mixture of a happy romp and a deep tragedy which entertains throughout.
The characters are beautifully drawn and the film passes the acid test of being as watchable now as it was when it was made. A stunning performance by Isabelle Adjani and an incredible climax to the film, which is both shocking yet humanly understandable because of the way that the characters have been developed.
Well worth watching as it is a mini classic in its own right. -
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Complex story of rape, murder and bungled revenge in a small village. French language with English subtitles.... -