Review of Femme Fatale (2002) by Janne K — 31 Jul 2008

Brian De Palma is one of my favourite directors, and I was thrilled to watch this overly misunderstood film about a misunderstood woman... at first I felt slightly less compelled, but as the film progressed and kept taking new turns I was actually thrilled and felt that De Palma had taken me back to the movies he has a heart for making, about the iconic female he has a heart for; the femme fatale.

And through this movie he doesn't contribute her in a way we've seen so many times before, but in a way in which other women would love to see themselves; as the seductive, powerful woman who is more than able to get what she wants only by being ruthless enough.

Rebecca Romjin Stamos takes on all the aspects of the character; as the double crossing heist fugitive who changes her identity only to be mixed up with another woman using that to her own advantage, as the sophisticated, high class vamp and the the maneater dressed in fishnets and black leather.

Antonio Banderas is also convincing, though he's hard to be sympathetic about.