Elle

I must say that Isabelle Hupert gave a pretty impressive performance in this leading role. As the name of the movie kind of reveals, the whole action spins around... HER. It is like an open spiral... we are guessing where it began... but its hard to predict where and when it will end. Altough the plot is overloaded with sexuality, it all evolves in a fairly natural way... It also depicts various stages in life when the meaning of feelings and emotions are continuously changing. The one thing I would skip is probably the interview at the end of the film, included as bonus feature.

Its a poor movie.

Once upon a time, Paul Verhoeven was the hottest director in Hollywood, helming such box office hits as RoboCop and Basic Instinct. But a couple of disappointments (oddly, everyone I know loves Starship Troopers and Showgirls is regarded as a camp classic) is all it takes for studios to turn their back on you these days, so Verhoeven took his talent back overseas (he was born and raised in the Netherlands and didnt start directing American movies until the mid 80s - the underrated Flesh and Blood) where his style of sex, violence, and a good dose of humor seems to work best. This is the case with Elle, a movie that would be dead serious if it was made in Hollywood by anyone else. Thankfully, its French and helmed by Verhoeven – making it one of the more uniquely entertaining movies youre likely to come across. French actress and Academy Award nominee Isabelle Huppert ( indeed, one of the best and bravest actors currently working) stars as Michèle, who we see getting raped by a masked man (dressed all in black) in the movies opening moments. While this horrible event would be the cause of two hours of angst for a character in an American movie, Michèle treats her rape rather clinically, although that doesnt mean she doesnt become focused on both finding ways to protect herself and well as hoping to unmask the perpetrator – who begins a game of taunting her after the events take place. Michèle works for a videogame company whose specialty is creating violent and sexually exploitive games, so she immediately begins to suspect that one of her employees (maybe a current one, perhaps a former one) is the man who raped her. Others in Michèles circle of friends and acquaintances are also suspicious. I will confess to pinpointing who the person was as soon as his character is introduced in the movie, although I dont know if it will be that obvious to everyone who watches the film. However, the identity of the person is just the first surprise in the movie, as Michèles response is far from expected and may even turn some viewers (especially females, I suspect) off. I will say that knowing who it is (or having a pretty good idea) didnt take away any of my enjoyment, which is a good indication that the film holds up to multiple viewings and is much more than a whodunnit. The movie also has a great excuse why our lead character doesnt take her problems to the police; Michèles father was responsible for some horrible crimes at which she was present (as a little girl). The crimes were horrendous enough that complete strangers will shout awful things at her, and one woman (early in the movie) actually throws a tray of food on her in a public restaurant. Michèle treats that moment so nonchalantly, that viewers will know its happened to her many times before. But for all the seriousness of the subject matter here, the real surprise of Elle (which, incidentally, isnt a nickname for the main character but rather the French word for she) is what a wicked sense of humor is has. Not in the laugh-out-loud kind of way (although I certainly did so a few times), but in a dry, subversive way. Theres a great subplot here involving Michèles son (Jonas Bloquet) and the rather questionable girlfriend (Alice Isaaz) hes chosen for himself that goes places I dont think a Hollywood movie would dare (wait until you the scene where she gives birth!). Unfortunately a lot of us avoid foreign movies because you have no desire to sit and read subtitles for two hours – I sometimes feel the same, but I encourage you to give this movie a chance. If youve loved Verhoevens work here in the States, youll get that same feeling with Elle. I dont know that its the directors best movie, but its definitely a contender. Vital Disc Stats: (The Blu-ray.) Elle arrives on Blu-ray in a standard Sony-type blue keepcase (the kind with the flap on the side you need to lift up to open the case) and contains no inserts. The 50GB Blu-ray is front-loaded with trailers for Equity, Julieta, Toni Erdmann, Maggies Plan, and Our Little Sister. The main menu consists of a still image of actress Isabelle Hupperts character and the cat in the movie (the same image that graces the back of the keepcases slick), with menu selections horizontally across the bottom of the screen. The Blu-ray is region-free.

What a disappointment. Very hard to watch with all the misogynist situations and references. While Isabelle Huppert remains one of the most capable and gifted actresses on the planet--found everything about her character off-putting and sad. She didnt win at the patriarchys game, she just was better at it than the surrounding men. Gives you the impression that French citizens are spoiled, effete and rather dull--which they are not. A much better film starring Huppert, Comedy of Power, gets everything right that this one doesnt. Wish I could get my $5.99 refunded.

Great thing about this movie and what makes it so refreshing is that it does not feel like it was written by a committee. The Hollywood movies Im talking about are those with cookie-cutter scripts and feel like either PSAs or anti-PSAs and feel like youve seen dozens like them already. This is the story of how a super-smart woman deals successfully and unconventionally with misfortune

Kept hoping itd get better, but no.

Very dark but very good!

For the great acting and very good production. A very twisted story, but not too far from reality for some. I wanted to stop watching it at one point, but I could not. Have you own experience.

**** 4-Stars **** Elle is simply she or her in French - and sometimes it. Paul Verhoeven, one of my favorite directors, teams up with Isabelle Huppert, one of my favorite actors, to make a film that is surprising, often shocking, and wholly fascinating. I will watch it again. Warning: this is one of the least politically correct flicks you will ever see - multiple rapes (which our heroine suffers stoically, and perhaps with some curiosity), lots of bed-hopping, and a handful of other things likely to annoy some viewers. But the real question is, can you accept a 63-year-old woman as sexy, strong-willed and a bit of a femme-fatale? French audiences clearly had no problem (Huppert is universally adored, and besides, Catherine Deneuve, a decade older than Huppert, already busted this glass ceiling a few times) - but Im not so sure Americans will be as comfortable with this. Go ahead, watch Elle - I dare ya. Vive la France!

This is easily one of the best films of 2016. It is very dark & very funny --if you have a taste for twisted humor. If thought that (the excellent) Gone Girl was hilarious then youll love this movie. Isabelle Huppert gives one of the best performances Ive ever seen by an actress. She or Amy Adams in Arrival shouldve walked away with the Best Actress Oscar (of course, Adams wasnt even nominated). Director Paul Verhoeven has never shied away from controversy & he embraces it once again here but without the outlandishness in his other films. The story is compelling. The script is excellent. This movie rest on Hupperts performance and she is spectacular.