Review of Gabrielle (1954) by Ildem W — 20 Feb 2008

I always hear this criticism about this film -I dont sympathise with the characters. I dont care about them-. I cant imagine why. Havent you ever had a very long break-up conversation and not actually wanting it but cant find a way out of it even in your own mind.

The main male character is experiencing typically that. His desperate attempt to forgive his wife and partly failing is so human. And Hupperts arrogance (nobody acts arrogance as good as Huppert) out of deep depression is also a great observation on relationships and psychology.

Specially, the horrific laughter of her when he said -I forgive you- was the peak for the film for me. I would put this film in a -Romantic Thriller- genre. Also, it has a Vilhelm Hammershoi painting like atmosphere and extremely stylish.