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Review
A satisfying blend of melodrama, film noir and suspense thriller, Voici le temps des
assassins is amongst Julien Duvivier’s best films. When he was a film critic,
François Truffaut cited the film as the director’s best work. It is
interesting to compare this film, and others of this period, with Duvivier’s earlier films
from the 1930s, most of which adhere to the principles of poetic realism. After
World War II, his films took on a far darker tone, often exploring the most sinister aspects
of human nature. Voici le temps des assassins exemplifies this change and
is certainly one of Duvivier’s darkest and most chilling films.
The impact of Voici le temps des assassins is only really felt in its second half. The film begins as what appears to be a conventional romantic drama, set in an impressive reconstruction of the famous Halles market in Paris (including historic footage of the actual location which has since changed beyond all recognition). But then, just when we think we know where the film is heading, its mood changes abruptly and we know that we are in for some surprises. The first shock is the revelation that Catherine is not what she seems. Far from being an innocent young woman with the face of an angel she is a manipulative and devious gold digger. As the film unfolds, we grow increasingly troubled by Catherine’s apparent lack of scruples – yet somehow we remain convinced that she is not so bad as she seems, that she will not kill to achieve her ambitions. By playing on our expectations, Duviver delivers a cruel and meticulous thriller which culminates in a suspense-filled and quite horrifying conclusion. The striking photography (which is distinctly noirish in places) is as impressive as the high calibre acting. Jean Gabin is well served by Duvivier’s script and gives one of his most memorable performances – emotive and forceful but also showing a great tenderness and humanity. The film’s ace card has to be Danèle Delorme, whose performance as Catherine is simply sublime. The character may be a twisted evil schemer, but Delorme manages to give the part a vulnerable, tragic dimension, which not only makes Catherine’s morality ambiguous but also heightens the film’s suspense and shock potential. The film also features Gérard Blain in his first substantial film role. As Blain is now often associated with the early films of the New Wave film directors (Truffaut, Godard and Chabrol), his appearance in the film now seems to lend the film a curious touch of modernity. In a decade when quality French cinema was showing a tendency to become dull and formulaic, it is a pleasant surprise to come across a film such as Voici le temps des assassins, a well-made film that had the audacity to shock its audience. © James Travers 2002 Write a review for this film...User Comments
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Director:
Julien Duvivier
Starring: Jean Gabin, Danièle Delorme, Robert Arnoux, Liliane Bert, Gérard Blain Synopsis
Distinguished chef André Chatelin manages a gourmet restaurant beside the busy
Halles market in Paris. One day, he receives an unexpected visit from Catherine,
the daughter of his ex-wife Gabrielle. Hearing of her mother’s death, André
offers Catherine a room in his house. Catherine gratefully accepts and starts to
worm her way into André’s affections, to the chagrin of André’s adopted
son Gérard, who has himself fallen in love with Catherine. Neither André
nor Gérard realise that Catherine is only interested in marrying the restaurateur
so that she can inherit his personal fortune – and she will go to any lengths to achieve
this aim. Even murder...
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