They do not love, that do not show their love.
--SHAKESPEARE.
Henri S.,a middle-aged man who works in the transport trucks business,is ready to switch from one mistress to another:from a richer one,Dominique (who is also his boss),to a younger,poorer one,Julie Manet (played by Carole Laure ,a Canadian starlet).
Dominique doesn't seem ready to accept Henri's leave,on the contrary.
She tracks "Julie" and meets her at the "Citadel",somewhere outside the town.The two women fight,Dominique knocks Julie,asks her to leave Henri,offers her money.Julie manages to run off.Dominique kills herself.
Dominique's body is found.A cop inquires into her death,and looks inquiringly at Julie,he believes she settled Dominique's hash.Some marks,some witnesses,some paint scratched lead to Julie.
Henri inherits ,by Dominique's will,a large sum of her money.He and Julie are both taken to task.They did not kill Dominique,are not responsible for her death;non the less,some things indicate them.On that score,the police suspects Julie.
Henri decides to solve this on his own;his innermost thoughts are hidden.He seems to hold off,while he deepens in himself and works up a carefully conceived plan. Henri seems to accuse Julie and to leave her to her own devices;in fact,he gives her a leg up,and paves the way for them getting through.(" No cord or cable can draw so forcibly, or bind so fast, as love can do with only a single thread."--BURTON.)He outwits the cops,and moves heaven and earth to tip the scale.His plan has two steps:first,he does everything to incriminate "Julie Manet",so that he may gain some time,then he plants evidences against himself and drives the policemen to suspect him,so that "Julie Manet" may be released Scot-free,while he leaves France,going the whole hog.He pushes this plan through.
In Canada,he works as a trucker.Julie,still in France,gives birth to Henri's child.
Henri S. will drink his cup to the lees.
The movie gets increasingly good.La Menace's last third (after "Henri" leaves France) is very suspenseful,igneous,uncompromising and intense,it looks like an homage to Clouzot.
The climax is violent,it has suspense,bitterness,and strength.
Montand is ripping,does himself justice as the gnarled,ungentle Henri and acts keenly.
If you are a serious Alain Corneau fan,don't miss this one.
--SHAKESPEARE.
Henri S.,a middle-aged man who works in the transport trucks business,is ready to switch from one mistress to another:from a richer one,Dominique (who is also his boss),to a younger,poorer one,Julie Manet (played by Carole Laure ,a Canadian starlet).
Dominique doesn't seem ready to accept Henri's leave,on the contrary.
She tracks "Julie" and meets her at the "Citadel",somewhere outside the town.The two women fight,Dominique knocks Julie,asks her to leave Henri,offers her money.Julie manages to run off.Dominique kills herself.
Dominique's body is found.A cop inquires into her death,and looks inquiringly at Julie,he believes she settled Dominique's hash.Some marks,some witnesses,some paint scratched lead to Julie.
Henri inherits ,by Dominique's will,a large sum of her money.He and Julie are both taken to task.They did not kill Dominique,are not responsible for her death;non the less,some things indicate them.On that score,the police suspects Julie.
Henri decides to solve this on his own;his innermost thoughts are hidden.He seems to hold off,while he deepens in himself and works up a carefully conceived plan. Henri seems to accuse Julie and to leave her to her own devices;in fact,he gives her a leg up,and paves the way for them getting through.(" No cord or cable can draw so forcibly, or bind so fast, as love can do with only a single thread."--BURTON.)He outwits the cops,and moves heaven and earth to tip the scale.His plan has two steps:first,he does everything to incriminate "Julie Manet",so that he may gain some time,then he plants evidences against himself and drives the policemen to suspect him,so that "Julie Manet" may be released Scot-free,while he leaves France,going the whole hog.He pushes this plan through.
In Canada,he works as a trucker.Julie,still in France,gives birth to Henri's child.
Henri S. will drink his cup to the lees.
The movie gets increasingly good.La Menace's last third (after "Henri" leaves France) is very suspenseful,igneous,uncompromising and intense,it looks like an homage to Clouzot.
The climax is violent,it has suspense,bitterness,and strength.
Montand is ripping,does himself justice as the gnarled,ungentle Henri and acts keenly.
If you are a serious Alain Corneau fan,don't miss this one.