Review of Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1976) by Eric B — 01 May 2012

This is a fascinating film, only flawed by the extreme demands it makes on the viewer's patience.

The dull, lengthy title is appropriate: Essentially, this is over three hours of watching a single mother joylessly but briskly carry out household duties. Most of the action occurs inside her apartment, but a few outside errands also arise. Her son looks to be around college age, and has a perfunctory relationship with her. She makes his dinner; he comes home at night and eats it, reading books at the table despite her repeated scolds.

There's a catch, though -- she is also a prostitute, receiving clients at home. One per day. She carries out this task just as flatly as she does everything else.

The story's real hook is that, as the hours pass, her blank perfection begins to crumble. She starts to make mistakes. She overcooks some potatoes. She drops things. She washes dishes twice. She makes coffee, then throws it out. The routine is slowly unnerving her, and this is where the script's feminist theme becomes clear. The ending will surprise you.

"Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles" has no score -- the "theme music" is simply the droning hiss of a kettle. There is no camera movement and plenty of long takes, and every scene is shot in the same distant, detached way. Extended stretches go by without words. The film rests wholly upon the shoulders of a dressed-down Delphine Seyrig, who is nowhere near the alluring vixen she typically played.

You will never see a movie where light switches play a bigger role. The visual treats also include what may be the least sexy bathing scene ever to feature a beautiful woman.