"Cat And Mouse" runs a little too long at about 103 minutes, and the murder mystery at its center is not exceptionally gripping, yet it has a lot going for it: some exciting camera-work (especially in a wild car ride from Paris to the countryside and back), an engagingly idiosyncratic central character (played by Serge Reggiani), lots of subtle humor, and a solution to all the mysteries that is simple, logical, unexpected, and very French. The narrative frequently moves back and forth in time and place, so the film does require the viewer's undivided attention; Claude Lelouch is not a "genre" director / writer, so this is not a typical "genre" film by any means. *** out of 4.
12 Reviews
Humble class
alexcornas21 June 2019
The Cat and the Mouse is classic thriller with many twists. Like its star Michele Morgan in her last feature role, it has survived the test of time wonderfully. The film oozes style and realism whilst never appearing to do too much or be too self-conscious. Some of the scenes and camera shots used by Lelouch have long been stolen by American and Hong Kong cinema but they still feel fresh and effective.
The two lead, Regianni from Casque D'Or and Morgan from Port of Shadows are both right on point, they play their role with sobriety and panache. The film is captivating from beginning to end. Throughout this extensive investigation, Lelouch paints a realistic portrayal of humanity and temptation, from all levels of society.
The two lead, Regianni from Casque D'Or and Morgan from Port of Shadows are both right on point, they play their role with sobriety and panache. The film is captivating from beginning to end. Throughout this extensive investigation, Lelouch paints a realistic portrayal of humanity and temptation, from all levels of society.
A Tense Thriller That Keeps You on the Edge of Your Seat
AlsExGal5 October 2023
"Cat and Mouse," directed by Claude Lelouch and released in 1975, is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that still manages to captivate audiences with its intricate storytelling and exceptional performances nearly five decades later. This French film is a masterclass in tension-building and character development, making it a must-watch for fans of suspenseful cinema.
The plot of "Cat and Mouse" revolves around the intriguing and high-stakes game of wits between two characters, played brilliantly by Michel Bouquet and Jean-Louis Trintignant. Bouquet portrays Morand, a dedicated and relentless police inspector, while Trintignant plays Roche, a cunning and resourceful criminal. The film opens with Roche's daring escape from custody, setting the stage for a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase that lasts throughout the entire movie.
One of the standout elements of "Cat and Mouse" is the superb character development. Bouquet and Trintignant give exceptional performances, making their characters feel real and multi-dimensional. Bouquet's Inspector Morand is determined and relentless, driven by his pursuit of justice, while Trintignant's Roche is a charismatic and enigmatic antihero whose motives are shrouded in mystery. The dynamic between these two actors is electric, and their performances elevate the film to another level.
Claude Lelouch's direction is nothing short of masterful. He creates an atmosphere of constant tension and suspense, using tight camera work and a haunting musical score to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The film's pacing is excellent, with each scene adding a layer of complexity to the story and ratcheting up the suspense. Lelouch's decision to keep the focus on the two main characters and their psychological duel pays off brilliantly, making "Cat and Mouse" a character-driven thriller that stands the test of time.
In addition to the outstanding performances and direction, "Cat and Mouse" also boasts impressive cinematography, capturing the beauty of various European locations. The film's use of the picturesque landscapes contrasts sharply with the dark and intense cat-and-mouse game, creating a visually striking backdrop for the unfolding drama.
While "Cat and Mouse" is a gripping thriller, it also explores deeper themes of morality and the human condition. As the film delves into the motivations and vulnerabilities of its characters, it raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of good and evil, justice and revenge, and the choices we make in life.
In conclusion, "Cat and Mouse" is a timeless thriller that continues to enthrall audiences with its impeccable performances, masterful direction, and suspenseful storytelling. If you appreciate suspenseful cinema with complex characters and a gripping narrative, this 1975 classic should be on your must-watch list. It's a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in film and a reminder of the talent and creativity that emerged from French cinema during this era.
The plot of "Cat and Mouse" revolves around the intriguing and high-stakes game of wits between two characters, played brilliantly by Michel Bouquet and Jean-Louis Trintignant. Bouquet portrays Morand, a dedicated and relentless police inspector, while Trintignant plays Roche, a cunning and resourceful criminal. The film opens with Roche's daring escape from custody, setting the stage for a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase that lasts throughout the entire movie.
One of the standout elements of "Cat and Mouse" is the superb character development. Bouquet and Trintignant give exceptional performances, making their characters feel real and multi-dimensional. Bouquet's Inspector Morand is determined and relentless, driven by his pursuit of justice, while Trintignant's Roche is a charismatic and enigmatic antihero whose motives are shrouded in mystery. The dynamic between these two actors is electric, and their performances elevate the film to another level.
Claude Lelouch's direction is nothing short of masterful. He creates an atmosphere of constant tension and suspense, using tight camera work and a haunting musical score to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The film's pacing is excellent, with each scene adding a layer of complexity to the story and ratcheting up the suspense. Lelouch's decision to keep the focus on the two main characters and their psychological duel pays off brilliantly, making "Cat and Mouse" a character-driven thriller that stands the test of time.
In addition to the outstanding performances and direction, "Cat and Mouse" also boasts impressive cinematography, capturing the beauty of various European locations. The film's use of the picturesque landscapes contrasts sharply with the dark and intense cat-and-mouse game, creating a visually striking backdrop for the unfolding drama.
While "Cat and Mouse" is a gripping thriller, it also explores deeper themes of morality and the human condition. As the film delves into the motivations and vulnerabilities of its characters, it raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of good and evil, justice and revenge, and the choices we make in life.
In conclusion, "Cat and Mouse" is a timeless thriller that continues to enthrall audiences with its impeccable performances, masterful direction, and suspenseful storytelling. If you appreciate suspenseful cinema with complex characters and a gripping narrative, this 1975 classic should be on your must-watch list. It's a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in film and a reminder of the talent and creativity that emerged from French cinema during this era.
Lecat et la Souris...
dbdumonteil1 March 2007
A rich bourgeois has died:is it suicide or murder?As he cheated on his wife ,and was about to divorce from her,the lady (Michèle Morgan) is the main suspect.
Claude Lelouch,who is ,at least to my eyes, a minor French director ,is at his best when he tries his hand at light thrillers or comedies ."Le Chat et la Souris" recalls "le Voyou" ,with its construction which looks like a puzzle ,its screenplay "à Tiroirs" and even the movie in the movie trick .Lelouch really plays cat and mouse with the audience as Detective Lechat (sic)(Regggiani) does with his still attractive suspect (or is it the other way about?).
There are plenty of funny scenes and some witty lines ("you see this distinguished lady riding a motorbike?");and the nail in the Rum Baba in the chic restaurant is a good idea to provide the detective with the final clue (so to speak,for "nail" is "clou" in French).
Objections: there are not enough scenes where Reggiani and Morgan are together ,and the scenes of the detective's private life (and his assistant's ,played by Philippe Leotard)get in the way.
This film accounts for the difference between Lelouch's world and ,say ,Chabrol's. The latter ,in his best works ,ferociously attacks the bourgeoisie.Lelouch,on the other hand ,makes sure the bourgeois moral is intact.Thou shalt not covet other people's possession.
Claude Lelouch,who is ,at least to my eyes, a minor French director ,is at his best when he tries his hand at light thrillers or comedies ."Le Chat et la Souris" recalls "le Voyou" ,with its construction which looks like a puzzle ,its screenplay "à Tiroirs" and even the movie in the movie trick .Lelouch really plays cat and mouse with the audience as Detective Lechat (sic)(Regggiani) does with his still attractive suspect (or is it the other way about?).
There are plenty of funny scenes and some witty lines ("you see this distinguished lady riding a motorbike?");and the nail in the Rum Baba in the chic restaurant is a good idea to provide the detective with the final clue (so to speak,for "nail" is "clou" in French).
Objections: there are not enough scenes where Reggiani and Morgan are together ,and the scenes of the detective's private life (and his assistant's ,played by Philippe Leotard)get in the way.
This film accounts for the difference between Lelouch's world and ,say ,Chabrol's. The latter ,in his best works ,ferociously attacks the bourgeoisie.Lelouch,on the other hand ,makes sure the bourgeois moral is intact.Thou shalt not covet other people's possession.
A Peculiar Man And A Woman
boblipton30 December 2022
Police Commissioner Serge Reggiani is called in on a most peculiar case: Jean-Pierre Aumont, one of the richest men in France, has killed himself at home. At the same time, thieves have stolen very valuable paintings from his house. Aumont's widow, Michèle Morgan, is the natural suspect, but she was seeing a movie at the time, and no matter how he and his assistant, Philippe Léotard, try, they can't make the timelines match.
We follow Reggiani for two years, his taking bribes, his training his dog to attack on command, his relationship with his daughter, whom he marries off to Leotard, his forced retirement to a farm, where he works on a book about the case. At the same time, he develops feelings for Mlle. Morgan, and because he is no longer a cop, he just wants to solve the case, with no sense he has to bring her to justice.
Eventually he does figure out what happened, but that's just ubiquitous background to this movie by Claude Lelouch. Once again, the director has taken a leisurely view of his story, with all the details of life, few of which connect save through Reggiani, filling in the characters in great detail, like some detailed mosaic that leads to a life. It lacks the sense of inevitability, of fate, that some of his better known movies thrive on, but it's certain very watchable.
We follow Reggiani for two years, his taking bribes, his training his dog to attack on command, his relationship with his daughter, whom he marries off to Leotard, his forced retirement to a farm, where he works on a book about the case. At the same time, he develops feelings for Mlle. Morgan, and because he is no longer a cop, he just wants to solve the case, with no sense he has to bring her to justice.
Eventually he does figure out what happened, but that's just ubiquitous background to this movie by Claude Lelouch. Once again, the director has taken a leisurely view of his story, with all the details of life, few of which connect save through Reggiani, filling in the characters in great detail, like some detailed mosaic that leads to a life. It lacks the sense of inevitability, of fate, that some of his better known movies thrive on, but it's certain very watchable.
A tenacious commissioner.
zutterjp4813 June 2022
The commissioner Lechat and his colleague Pierre Chemin are in charge of the investigation of the death of Mr. Richard. At the first sight it looks like a fake suicide. Besides some important paintings have disappeared. Immediately Mrs. Richard become the main suspect. Is her alibi true ? So we have the scene in which Lachat and Chemin are timing the transfer from Paris to the villa in the countryside and also the return from the villa to Paris.
But this film is also a comedy ; the story of the relationship between Lechat and Mrs. Richard, the commissioner says Mrs. Richard that he is sure that she killed her husband, but at the same time he doesn't want to send her to jail. Some characters are framing Mrs Richard,we don't understand why, but little by little Lechat and Chemin understand for example the kidnapping of Mrs. Richard.
I enjoyed this film , especially the performances of Serge Reggiani, Philippe Léotard and Michèle Morgan: but Jean-Pierre Aumont, Valérie Lagrange, Michel Pereylon, Christine Laurent , Philippe Labro Arlette Emmery, Erik Colin and Yves Alonso made good performances.
But this film is also a comedy ; the story of the relationship between Lechat and Mrs. Richard, the commissioner says Mrs. Richard that he is sure that she killed her husband, but at the same time he doesn't want to send her to jail. Some characters are framing Mrs Richard,we don't understand why, but little by little Lechat and Chemin understand for example the kidnapping of Mrs. Richard.
I enjoyed this film , especially the performances of Serge Reggiani, Philippe Léotard and Michèle Morgan: but Jean-Pierre Aumont, Valérie Lagrange, Michel Pereylon, Christine Laurent , Philippe Labro Arlette Emmery, Erik Colin and Yves Alonso made good performances.
Excellent Mystery, Top Notch Entertainment
Tony Rome18 February 2007
I found a copy of this film, released on video in 1981. The film has not been re-issued on any other format. The film should be restored, with a director commentary. The film has one of the most clever plots ever to be displayed on film. I certainly do not want to spoil the plot for any interested viewer, so I will say little in the plot. The scene where the detectives are trying to time driving from Paris to the countryside is a gem. Brialy and Aumount are at their best. This film is just as enjoyable as another Lelouch film "Robert et Robert" which is also very hard to find, but still out there. Hopefully criterion or anchor bay will restore these classics and make them available for future movie going generations.
Terrible movie!
newjersian17 August 2020
This is the most ridiculous movie I ever saw. It supposed to be a detective story but not a single episode in it can stand a simple scrutiny. The events are so implausible that the movie often looks like a parody.
There are many French detective stories with a script that has more holes than a fisherman's net. However, this one is the worst.
Lovely film deserving of DVD transfer
glaxona29 August 2005
This film has stayed near the top of my recommendation list since I first saw it in 1976, in spite of the fact that I haven't seen it but once since then, when I found a copy on Betamax (remember Sony?).
The storyline is an interesting and romantic mystery between a detective and the femme fatale suspect. The many plot twists and turns are only bettered by the wonderful cinematography and mr. LeLouch's delicious direction through the streets of Paris and the countryside of France.
I have seen many "foreign" films the past 30 years, and this one has continued to hold a fond place in my memory. There is so much dreck on video, and so many pleasant little films for the over-twelve audience have simply slipped through the cracks and disappeared into the mists of time. A real shame for those of us tired of seeing endless scenes of carnage and violence...
The storyline is an interesting and romantic mystery between a detective and the femme fatale suspect. The many plot twists and turns are only bettered by the wonderful cinematography and mr. LeLouch's delicious direction through the streets of Paris and the countryside of France.
I have seen many "foreign" films the past 30 years, and this one has continued to hold a fond place in my memory. There is so much dreck on video, and so many pleasant little films for the over-twelve audience have simply slipped through the cracks and disappeared into the mists of time. A real shame for those of us tired of seeing endless scenes of carnage and violence...
I Wish It Were Available on DVD
orange71416 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Cat and Mouse is one of the best detective films I've ever seen. I agree with the poster who suggests this would be a great film for someone to restore and re-release. As it is written and directed by the incredible Claude Lelouch, I am surprised that it is unavailable. I'd love to be able to buy a copy of it, so I can stop searching every old video retailer in every city I visit, hoping that I'll find this jewel.
The photography is excellent, as is the pacing of the film. As the viewer, you're both rooting for the "Lechat", the detective (Serge Reggiani) to solve the case, and, at the same time, you hope he doesn't.
The beautiful, sophisticated and classy Michele Morgan is perfectly cast as the wife of the murder victim.
The photography is excellent, as is the pacing of the film. As the viewer, you're both rooting for the "Lechat", the detective (Serge Reggiani) to solve the case, and, at the same time, you hope he doesn't.
The beautiful, sophisticated and classy Michele Morgan is perfectly cast as the wife of the murder victim.
A Better Mousetrap
writers_reign10 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Despite a bulging CV - he is currently filming his 49th film - Claude Lelouch is regarded in some quarters as a one-trick pony who offers his public the same chocolate box time and again with only the wrapping slightly changed. It is perhaps unfortunate that his Un Homme et une femme caught the public mood so significantly forty years ago that they have been subconsciously urging him to eclipse it, a task that has proved impossible. Nevertheless I would argue that he has turned out some interesting and entertaining movies over the years and this is certainly amongst them. Back in 1975 this film had something Great going for it; it marked the return to the screen of an icon of French cinema, Michele Morgan after an eight-year lay-off so that theoretically it could have been the worst French film since Breathless and it would still have had them beating a path to the box office. It wasn't, of course, worse than Breathless but then what is, except perhaps Mr Bean, it was, in fact, a highly entertaining divertissement in the shape of a thriller that posed the question was millionaire Jean-Pierre Aumont pushed or did he fall and if he WAS pushed who did it, his wife, Michele Morgan, the obvious suspect or a third party. That's for Serge Reggiani - playing the applicably named Lechat - to discover with the help, or hindrance, of his sidekick Philippe Leotard - and French movie buffs will be delighted to get a glimpse of Vernon Dobtcheff in there as well. Not unnaturally Reggiani is attracted to Morgan which throws in an extra dimension and Lelouch also manages to indulge his love of fast cars in a sequence where Reggiani and Leotard attempt to 'time' a journey from Paris to the provinces and for the most part the camera is mounted in the driver's seat. In short this is a great example of Lelouch's earlier work.
A Delightful Comedy
dave-002868 August 2021
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
