La Femme Infidèle (1969) 4/9

Another suspense classic from French director Claude Chabrol, this taut psychological thriller tells the tale of a contented, middle-class husband (Michel Bouquet) who suspects his seemingly faithful wife (Stephane Audran) of carrying on an affair. He soon becomes consumed with jealousy and hires a private investigator to ascertain his wife's infidelity. When the detective confirms his worst fears, the husband embarks upon a series of events which test the boundaries of his marriage and the extent to which he will go to preserve his privileged lifestyle. Considered by many critics to be one of his best works, THE UNFAITHFUL WIFE showcases Chabrol's signature exploration of the hypocrisies of bourgeois morality while cloaking the proceedings in an atmosphere of unbearable tension and suspense. La Femme infidèle opens with a soft focus family portrait, one which it will slowly proceed to demolish over the next 90 or so minutes. This portrait seems comfortable, middle class, complacent even, with its young blond-haired son and loving parents, yet this is not quite the full picture. The title, of course, is a major clue and so it is that writer-director Claude Chabrol begins to plant the seeds of doubt in our minds and prompts us to second guess everyone's actions.

Director/Writer: Claude Chabrol
Producer: André Génovès
Original Music: Pierre Jansen
Cinematography: Jean Rabier

Cast: Stephane Audran, Michel Bouquet, Maurice Ponet, Serge Bento, Michel Duschaussoy, Guy Marly

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064323/

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• La
• Femme
• Infidèle
• (1969)