Narrowyetintense

Thisfilmisaboutjealousy.Thisisacomplexsubjectforstudy,becauseoftheforcesthatdriveandescalatesexualjealousyaremanyandvaried:power,guilt,feelingofinadequacy/impotence,race,class,existentialloneliness,soonandsoon.ButChabryolsLEnferisverynarrowinrange:heisonlyinterestedinthesymptomsofjealousy,andtheintensityofthemadness.Wearenottounderstandthethoughtsandemotionsbehindthehusbandsrapidlybuildingsuspicion,andasaconsequence,weseenopsychologicaldepthinthetwoleadingcharacters,intheirrespectivecontributions,andthentheresponses,tothetragedy.Comparethisto,amongmanyfineexamples,Godardsquot;Contemptquot;,orvonSteinemsquot;BlueAngelquot;,thecurrentfilmpalesinvirtuosity.Butwhatintensity,andwhatpain!Inspiteofthenarrowfocus,theeffectontheviewerisdramatic,whichgoestotestifytothegreatempatheticpowerofthedirector.Thetempoofthisfilmisacasestudyofeffectiveness.Thefirstlaffliesbyquitequickly,withflash-likeeditingandbusyentriesandexitsintothepictureframe,throwingtheaudienceintothebustle,andslightconfusion,oftheherosinn-keepinglife.Thismakesthehusbandsearlysuspicioneasiertounderstand.Thenaround1/2ofthefilm,thepacepalpablyslowsdown,tosuitthepondering,deliberatenessnatureoftheHellourherosinksinto.Nomasterpiece,butafineexampleintherepertoireofmoviesthatappemtalimitedeffect,yetdoitwell.