Bluebeard
This offbeat but compelling take on the tale, arguably the first serial-killer yarn, emphasizes sisterly bonds but still gets to the original story’s heart of mysterious darkness with impressive results. Low-budget production values will, however, keep pic locked up in arthouse ivory towers. ...
Although the script is roughly faithful to author Charles Perrault’s original tale, there’s no mistaking that this is a Catherine Breillat film. Characters talk in that slightly stiff, declamatory way they always do in her films, sisters love and hate each other in the same instant (invoking shades of ”Fat Girl”), and relations between the sexes are fraught with mutual incomprehension and disappointment.
– LESLIE FELPERIN, VARIETY
Mary-Catherine (Lola Creton), Bluebeard’s young bride, is one more Breillat heroine, tempted by, curious about, and fearful of both sexual desire and by sex itself -- by the physical, biological realness of it. I can’t think of a better image to represent Breillat’s cinema en toto than a shot of the massive, shirtless ”Bluebeard” (Dominique Thomas) being watched unnoticed by his waif, virgin wife. Brilliant film.
– DARREN HUGHES, LONGPAUSES.COM
Duration: 78 min
Dialogue: French
Subtitles: English
