Movie Review : Diabolique

Title : Diabolique
Language : French
Year : 1955

Director : Henri-Georges Clouzot

Genre : Thriller, Mystery

Lead Role : Simone Signoret, Vera Clouzot, Paul Meurisse

Just watched this two hour long movie, and I am in a dazed state. Can’t really believe this edge of the seat thriller was visualized way back in 1950s! For an introduction of the plot, it is about a harsh and sadistic headmaster of a school, and how his wife and sympathetic mistress hatch a plan together to finish him off. Well, the movie is much more than that but I’m not going to reveal any of it and spoil the party.

The word ‘realistic’ was given a whole new dimension by the makers. For instance, there is a particular scene that shows a couple listening to a questionnaire program on radio. The husband tries to answer the questions, and he looks at his wife in a proud manner whenever his answer was right. Those who watch KBC or similar shows must have experienced similar situations. There are no unwanted scenes, and the actors have done their job very neat. Despite not being a horror flick, the last fifteen minutes or so would leave you with your heart in your mouth. They have pulled off a commendable job in maintaining the thrill up to the very last minute. Moreover, the final message to viewers was innovative.

PS: Besides the suspense et al, something that left me amused was the use of electric trains six decades back.

Comments

Cut-Da Punjab

If you are a movie buff, you would have heard of the censorship issues regarding the upcoming Bollywood feature, Udta Punjab. If you are a politically conscious person, you would have heard of the censorship issues regarding the upcoming Bollywood feature, Udta Punjab. If you are a rationally thinking person, you would have heard of the censorship issues regarding the upcoming Bollywood feature, Udta Punjab. In short, if you are someone who breathes and lives on the planet Earth, you would have a heard of the censorship issues regarding the upcoming Bollywood feature, Udta Punjab. For such is the magnitude of double standards and apolitical agenda adopted by the CBFC. First, let us be politically correct: 1. CBFC is not Censor Board. It stands for Central Board of Film Certification. 2. The Board has not banned Udta Punjab. Wait, if the movie is not banne...

ശബ്ദം നാമജപത്തിന് മാത്രം : ഭാഗം 1

അമ്മാ! ഒരു കഥ പറഞ്ഞു തരോ? കഥയോ? എന്താ മോനൂന് ഉറക്കം വരണില്യേ? കേട്ടാൽ ഉറക്കം വരണ കഥയല്ല അമ്മ. നല്ല കഥ വേണം. എന്നാ ഞാൻ ഒരു കഥ സൊല്ലട്ടുമാ? എന്ത് കഥയാ അച്ഛാ? വിക്രത്തിന്റെയും വേദയുടെയും കഥ. ആ നന്നാവും. കണ്ട തമിഴ് പടത്തിലെ ഗുണ്ടാ കഥയല്ലേ മക്കൾക്ക് പറഞ്ഞു കൊടുക്കാൻ പറ്റീത്. കഥയൊക്കെ ഞാൻ പറഞ്ഞു കൊടുക്കാം. മോന് ഞാൻ പുരാണ കഥ പറഞ്ഞു തരാം. അമ്മൂമ്മ പറയണ പോലത്തെ കഥയാണോ? ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണന്റെ? ആ അതുപോലത്തെ. ഇന്ന് ശ്രീരാമന്റെ കഥ പറയാം. ആരാ അമ്മെ ശ്രീരാമൻ? വിഷ്ണു ഭഗവാന്റെ അവതാരം ആണ് മോനെ. അമ്മൂമ്മ പറഞ്ഞത് കൃഷ്ണൻ ആണ് വിഷ്ണുവിന്റെ അവതാരം ന്നാണല്ലോ. വിഷ്ണു ഭഗവാന് കുറെ അവതാരങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ട് മോനെ. ലോകത്ത് അനീതി കൂടുമ്പോൾ നീതി പുനഃസ്ഥാപിക്കാൻ ഭഗവാൻ അവതരിക്കും. ആഹാ. ജീസസ് വിഷ്ണുവിന്റെ അവതാരം ആണോ അമ്മെ? ഏഹ്! അല്ലടാ. യേശു വേറേ ഒരു ദൈവമാ. വേറെ ദൈവോ? അപ്പൊ എത്ര ദൈവങ്ങളുണ്ട്? കുറെ ഉണ്ട്. അതെന്തിനാ കുറെ ദൈവങ്ങൾ? നിനക്ക് കഥ കേൾക്കണോ? ഉം. എന്നാ മിണ്ടാണ്ടിരുന്ന് കേൾക്ക്. കഥയിൽ ചോദ്യമില്ല. അങ്ങനെ അവൻ മിണ്ടാതെ ഇരുന്ന് കഥ മുഴുവൻ കേട്ടു. അയോദ്ധ്യ ...

Mix Tape

This is a personal write up. Since people are generally interested in other people's affairs, I thought why not blog it as well. So the music day happened last Wednesday. For someone who is into songs whenever conscious, every day is a music day. Still, June 21 made me think of the songs that are very special to me. I just wanted to think across years, picking up songs and the memories associated to it, and put it all together in one place. Like a mix tape of sorts. I am not sure if the concept of mix tape is relevant anymore. It once was, when all you had was ordinary tapes. Now with everyone's shuffle playlists boasting of more diversity than any mix tape could possibly have, mix tapes have lost their charm. 1. Vaseegara - Minnale Tamil movie Minnale came out in early 2000s, back when I was a school going boy. The innocent type. The shy-to-talk-to-girls type. I hear this song, and it's like I am transformed into a magical world. No other piece of musi...

can you vish?

Search This Blog