Mister Frost (1990)
Directed by Philippe Setbon

Fantasy / Drama / Thriller
aka: Mr. Frost

Film Review

Abstract picture representing Mister Frost (1990)
Almost from the start, this film does its best to alienate its audience with its muddled narrative, luke-warm humour and visual and musical excesses.  With such a strong cast of French, American and British actors this could well have been an excellent variation on the Dr Faust theme, and there are the occasion hints of the far better film this could have been.  Unfortunately, what talent there is is cruelly squandered in an ill-conceived and unbelievable plot, marred by unutterably bad dialogue and a surfeit of artistic pretensions which, after twenty or so minutes, becomes exceedingly tiresome.  The film's only saving grace is Jeff Goldblum's chillingly subdued performance as the film's lead character, Mr Frost - ironically one of cinema's most convincing depictions of the Devil.
© James Travers 2002
The above content is owned by frenchfilms.org and must not be copied.

Film Synopsis

A serial killer, known only as Mr Frost, is arrested and, after two years of silence, ends up in a clinic for the mentally disturbed.  When he finally speaks it is to the young Dr Sarah Day, who takes an immediate interest in his case.  The man who arrested Frost, Felix Detweiler, warns Dr Day that her patient is the Devil himself.  After a series of inexplicable incidents, Dr Day begins to believe that Detweiler is right...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by frenchfilms.org and must not be copied.


Film Credits

  • Director: Philippe Setbon
  • Script: Brad Lynch, Philippe Setbon, Derry Hall, Louise Vincent
  • Cinematographer: Dominique Brenguier
  • Music: Steve Levine
  • Cast: Jeff Goldblum (Mr. Frost), Alan Bates (Felix Detweiler), Kathy Baker (Dr. Sarah Day), Jean-Pierre Cassel (Inspector Corelli), Daniel Gélin (Simon Scolari), François Négret (Christopher Kovac), Maxime Leroux (Frank Larcher), Vincent Schiavelli (Angelo, desk clerk), Roland Giraud (Raymond Reynhardt), Catherine Allégret (Dr. Corbin), Mike Marshall (Patrick Hollander), Henri Serre (André Kovac), Charley Boorman (Thief), Boris Bergman (Victor Sabowsky), Philippe Polet (Roland Day), Hervé Laudière (Joseph), Aïna Walle (Carole), Patrice Melennec (Phil), Jo Sheridan (Jogger), Raymond Aquilon (Elias)
  • Country: France / UK
  • Language: English
  • Support: Color
  • Runtime: 104 min
  • Aka: Mr. Frost

The best of American film noir
sb-img-9
In the 1940s, the shadowy, skewed visual style of 1920s German expressionism was taken up by directors of American thrillers and psychological dramas, creating that distinctive film noir look.
The best French war films ever made
sb-img-6
For a nation that was badly scarred by both World Wars, is it so surprising that some of the most profound and poignant war films were made in France?
The best films of Ingmar Bergman
sb-img-16
The meaning of life, the trauma of existence and the nature of faith - welcome to the stark and enlightening world of the world's greatest filmmaker.
The best French Films of the 1910s
sb-img-2
In the 1910s, French cinema led the way with a new industry which actively encouraged innovation. From the serials of Louis Feuillade to the first auteur pieces of Abel Gance, this decade is rich in cinematic marvels.
French cinema during the Nazi Occupation
sb-img-10
Even in the dark days of the Occupation, French cinema continued to impress with its artistry and diversity.
 

Other things to look at


Copyright © frenchfilms.org 1998-2024
All rights reserved



All content on this page is protected by copyright