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| MADEMOISELLE (1966) | |
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Mademoiselle performed by Jeanne Moreau, who is in her own rights probably one of cinema’s most alluring women, opens the gates of
a small dam.
The calm water begins seeping through the gradually opening crack as the tiny stream quickly turns into a rapid river that floods a small farm where tied up animals
disappear underneath the surface.
This gruesome event unveils the dark nature of Mademoiselle as she returns to her home above the school in which she
teaches. The wicked Mademoiselle leaves the townsfolk's in a hazy
mist of confusion as they brood over the identity of the maniac behind the
crime as her true nature is as evident as an innocent infant's search for
a mother’s warm embrace.
Mademoiselle callously continues to hides her evidence as she plans further dreadful deeds. The police are blindsided by the high number of unexpected arsons and malevolent crimes as there seems to be no reason behind the wrongdoings. The heinous crimes provoke escalating tumult within the village that demand answers and a stop to the dreadful acts. The townsfolk point their fingers towards the foreign woodsman as they begin to whisper and secretively plot his demise. Most of all, Mademoiselle is an interesting character study, as the psychology of the main character is dissected through visual symbolism and the clear-cut storyline. The symbolism strikes through in several scenes, but the scene that might be the most pungent is when Mademoiselle shakes hands with the husky Italian Manou (Ettore Manni) and a snake embraces their handshake. The snake scene oozes of bad omen as well as a sexual tension between the characters. In a sense, the snake scene is a visual culmination of the dreaded nature of Mademoiselle, which could be comparable to a black widows tendency to kill her mate after copulation. Tony Richardson brings a tremendously well directed cinematic experience to the audience which offers both contemplation and bewilderment. It is the fusion of thought and puzzlement where the audience is allowed to step into the world of Mademoiselle where good and evil coexist. Jeanne Moreau's performance as the maliciously vindictive teacher that torments students is breathtaking. Ultimately the audience is to experience a well made film that offers much for the eye to be pondered and debated. |
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France / UK |
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| REVIEWED | |
| 11/18/2004 | |
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The Internet Movie Database. |
