I’m on a roll when it comes to adapted French movies this year, and this crime comedy film set in the 1930s is the latest I’ve seen. If you have some awareness of French cinema you might have heard of François Ozon (Summer of 85, 8 Femmes, Swimming Pool), who directed this film loosely adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil. The cast is full of well-established French actors – Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon, André Dussollier – and up-and-coming ones – Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Rebecca Marder, Edouard Sulpice, Félic Lefebvre.

Premise: In 1930’s Paris, Madeleine Verdier, a young and pretty penniless actress with no talent, is accused of the murder of a famous producer. With the help of her best friend Pauline, a young unemployed lawyer, she is acquitted on the grounds of self-defense. A new life begins, made of glory and success, until the truth comes out…

Review: The movie has a very theatrical feel to it, in the way it is shot, and even in the actors’ performances, it feels like a theatre play. It’s a bit of a strong choice but it works. The sets and the production design in general are nice, not perfect, but enough to immerse you in the era.

Just like a play, this hinges on the actors’ performances, the two lead actors Nadia and Rebecca are just right, with great comedic timing and charm. There’s an old-timey feel to their performances but it still has this modern twist. The rest of the cast is great these established actors are successful for a reason, and they nicely elevate the younger ones. The movie is quite funny and does have a message but it’s subtle, if not a little depressing because some of these 1930s women’s problems are still around.