Review of 8 Women (2002) by Manny C — 03 Dec 2013

Oh what delicious fun. Writer-director Francois Ozon brings out the beguiling best in eight rapturous French beauties in this fabulous comedy.

The radiant legend Catherine Deneuve is just to die for as Gaby, isolated by snow in her country mansion with her husband, Marcel, dead from a stabbing in his back. Did Gaby do it? Or was it her mother, Mamy (Danielle Darrieux)? Or perhaps her daughters, Suzon (Virginie Ledoyen) and Catherine (Ludivine Sagnier), who hated Dad with a passion. Then there's Gaby's spinster sister Augustine (the amazing Isabelle Huppert) who also had her reasons. Same goes for Marcel's sister Pierrette (Fanny Ardant), not to mention housekeeper Madame Chanel (Firmine Richard) or the leggy-licious chambermaid, Louise (the beautiful Emmannuelle Beart).

So what is a viewer to do with a sizzling plot like this that references all kinds of kinky 50's movies and laced with ardent eroticism. Well, sing. Each actress gets her own knockout number, the best being Huppert's drop dead sexy transformation. You also won't forget the epic catfight between Deneuve and Ardant. All eight women are outstanding. It's a tasty bonbon laced with acid wit.