LES DIABOLIQUES

You would think that after seeing "Les Diaboliques" and knowing the twists and turns of the plot there would be nothing left but you'd be wrong. The fun of a second, or even a third, viewing is seeing just how cleverly Clouzot has assembled his jigsaw. Of course, if you're one of the few cineastes on the planet who has never seen it, (or the terrible Hollywood remake), and who knows nothing about it then you're in for a treat. If, on the other hand, you're seeing it again there is still much to enjoy; the brilliance of the plotting, the splendid performances, (Signoret has been rightly praised for her performance as the mistress but this is really Vera Clouzot's show; as the tortured wife she is simply magnificent), the tightness of the editing, Armand Thirard's superb cinematography. The American director Curtis Harrington paid it homage with his movie "Games", particularly in the casting of Signoret.