Review of Monsieur Hire (1989) by Alex M — 24 May 2010

Well made movie about an unlikeable peeping tom and the girl, who doesn't seem to mind it. such a pairing could only ever take place in a movie...its a very well paced and acted, drama. not alot of action, but then again-its a movie about obsession and a sexually repressed man who wants to be loved. it definitely has a little "hitch-cockian" feel to it, ala "rear window" but only little. There really is no suspense or mystery, its basically all shown or explained to us, its really the conversations/lack thereof between two people who have secrets, that makes up the meat of the movie. This girl, Alice, is played perfectly with mystery and allure, by Sandrine Bonnaire. This girl's smile is radiating and it is easy to see why director Patrice chose her, as several times throughout the movie, her beautiful smile is mentioned.

The dialogue is good and its well acted but some parts do go unexplained, but not enough that it damaged the film's overall appeal.

It is a little sad, both in the pitiful sense for the protagonist, but also sad that nothing ever works out the way you hope it for, and people are never what they seem...as shown so tragically at the film's final scene.

For most, this movie would seem like a very weird film, and maybe make some uncomfortable for having seen it. However, I think its done very tastefully and with amazing detail to cinematography, acting and direction.

I have not seen any other films by Patrice Leconte, but I felt it was a very well made film and direction was good. I will dig up some of his others.