Movies - Arthouse
Unrated; violence, sexuality, language
October 14, 2004
Fans of American short story writer Flannery O'Connor will find much to
admire in the French thriller Red Lights.
Directed by Cedric Kahn, the movie bears a striking resemblance to
O'Connor's A Good Man Is Hard to Find – but with a twist.
As in the American short story, the movie begins with a bickering road
trip. Antoine and Helene, a Parisian couple, head for the country to
pick up their children from summer camp. But Helene has shown up late
for the drive, and Antoine has started drinking.
Jean-Pierre Darroussin, who plays the husband, expertly conveys a sense
of seething resentment, much of which is directed at his wife, who's far
more successful in business than he. And Carole Bouquet, who plays the
wife, isn't inclined to be forgiving or communicative, as her husband
gets progressively drunker by stopping at bars along the road.
Starring Jean-Pierre Darroussin and Carole Bouquet.
The dispute escalates, causing Helene to flee the car, heading into far
more trouble than she expects.
Meanwhile, Antoine returns from a bar to find his wife missing and
begins to search train stations and police stations for clues to her
whereabouts. In the middle of his search, he picks up a hitchhiker, even
though he knows the guy may be an escaped convict.
In typical O'Connor fashion, the story descends into a nightmarish world
that forces Antoine and Helene to reach an epiphany.
Director Kahn expertly guides the acting of Mr. Darroussin, who
dominates the film with his edgy frustration. From outward appearances,
he seems like a wimp. But as he experiences one humiliation after
another, he finally erupts into a violent rage.
Subtle and stylish, Red Lights will remind moviegoers not only of
O'Connor but also of Alfred Hitchcock. And it's hard to be more
complimentary than that.
Wellspring
Directed
by Cedric Kahn.
In French with English subtitles.
In
select cities / 106 minutes
