The Bridesmaid2004

Claude Chabrol's The Bridesmaid (2004) reminds me of a lot of French films that I've seen in the way that it depicts "falling in love". Like many other French films I've viewed, in this film, Phillipe is portrayed as if hit by a thunder bolt when falling for Senta, and thereby loosing all common sense, and losing his moral compass altogether. That Phillipe stays "in love" with Senta after she shows him her nasty basement apartment, and starts telling him some very far out stories shows, like in many other French films, "love" overriding someone's rationality and common sense altogether. It was way too obvious even before Phillipe got in too deep with this psycho Senta that she was crazy, and that Phillipe needed to walk away from her, regardless of what he felt for her. But in this film, like in so many other French films, it just doesn't work out that way. Phillipe hangs in their with an obviously mentally disturbed gal until the tragic ending, where it looks like he's going to be implicated in her insane crimes too. Is this the way people in France really behave when they "fall in love"? Do they let reason and common sense fly out the window "all for the sake of love"? French filmmakers certainly seem to think so, and this film is just another example of that for me. What really rubs me in the "falling in love makes you stupid" theme of this film is that Phillipe is portrayed as an otherwise pretty bright guy, with a normal and supportive family, with whom he lives, and a good job that looks like he's going places with. Anyway, this is an excellent film with a very interesting, twisty story line, good acting, and good direction. This is definitely a suspenseful film that will keep you engaged, and at the edge of your seat as the film progresses, in spite of the fact that the protagonist Phillipe is portrayed as a love struck dummy who can't see his girlfriend for the obvious psycho she is until it's way too late.

One of many later Chabrol films that seems to have all but been forgotten. It is actually an almost brilliant study into insanity that cuts a surprisingly layered piece of cinematic cake.

The film's plot is not all that complicated, but the implications and shadows behind each action are about as complex as humanity can get. Laura Smet is clearly intended to be an important erotic add to French cinema, but she is not what makes this little movie such an interesting cinematic turn.

This film does not belong to the bridesmaid herself, this is Benoit Magimel and Aurore Clements' film. Both of these actors bump around more Freudian impulses that can be listed.

Chabrol's brew from 2004 is a sort of dangerous concoction. Sharp as a razor and seemingly always waiting for the chance to slice -- "The Bridesmaid" is almost as sensual as it is nervously crazy. It is easy to imagine Hitchcock liking this movie, but this film belongs on the darker shelf of Claude Chabrol. This is one smart and reflexively twisted movie.

Dark, good! It gets to you in a depressive way. Superb psychological thriller.

pretty wonderful in a bizarre way_i fell in love with 'Senta' too (Laura Smet) but i wouldn't kill anyone for her_sweet & crazy

Excellent cast. Banal, dreary plot and script. The sets and situations seem similar to 'Coronation Street' or 'Eastenders'. The lovers share the disadvantage that their fathers abandoned them - this revelation and Senta's dialogue are meant to manipulate some sort of psychological depth; Tardieu's behavior is inconsistent with his character ... all these factors combine to make it impossible to suspend disbelief. Smet's and Magimel's performances are understated and genuine. These two are easy to look at, and the cinematography is good. Suggestions: Bardot and Gabin, 'En Cas de Malheur', Bardot and Frey, 'La Verite'.

The characters unravel and reveal themselves in a Hitchcock like manner. Not an exciting film but a gradually and increasingly interesting one. Senta you are just too much woman for a young guy to handle. Oh well live and learn the hard way.

I moved into the film slowly. Family situation, a son who's playing father. Mom and the girls. But when meeting the bridesmaid, it caught me. Soon, I had two different thoughts. Something reminded me of the used jeans I was wearing, kind of nice but too tight in the crotch and so slender that they are hard to take off. The other recollection was of the old burlesque comic routine of getting rid of that Blue Spruce Gum. No matter how you twist and peel and shake, it stays stuck somewhere onto you. So I was not just watching, I was living the film. Anxiety was my companion the whole way. The final twists could not be anticipated nor were the final moments predictable, but I lived them all. This is a difficult film to leave behind. It sticks with you. Extremely well done!

four and a half...just for the bust.

Based on a novel written by Ruth Rendell, this is a suspense movie without any violence. I love films where the plot is entirely unpredictable, and this is that kind of movie. It was a very good movie with lots of plot twists and turns; try it.

https://t.co/UoTkGc4Kvu?Bridesmaid=1

Silly.

Dark but good.

Excellent Film!!

One of Chabrol's best.."Love means never having to say you're a psycho!"

This was one my favorite of Chabrol's films - it starts off a bit slowly, but you will appreciate the development of the plot as the intrigue progresses. Plus it didn't make me wonder why he ended the film at this point in the story, as happens quite often with him. The following truism pops into my head while watching: "crazy in the head, crazy in the bed"...

Convincing acting, with a plot that starts off slow but becomes compelling overtime. Overall, decent film, but punctured with a few gaping plot holes.

Some of the scenes had some awkward moments in the acting but overall everyone did a good job. Senta was quite believable and was reminiscent of a woman I dated in college so it home for me. I was expecting more of a crescendo and bigger climax (no pun intended) but I was not entirely disappointed with what I walked away with.

A very good movie with an unbelievable plot. I had no idea where it was going until the very end.