Review of Place Vendôme (1998) by Tero L — 08 Nov 2010

Murky plotline, mildly interesting delivery by Deneuve.

Deneuve, wife of a prominent diamond merchant/jeweler (Fresson), has been living in a state of permanent rehab. Once a diamond merchant herself, her nerves are shattered and her drinking out-of-control from being relegated to the role of housewife under her controlling spouse and his staff. Meanwhile, Fresson's been struggling to keep the business afloat, the flow of his stones from ever-more shady sources. He stashes several of the best jewels for Deneuve at home as her insurance policy and then commits suicide.

Deneuve has to sober up quick, pull herself up by her own bootstraps to survive the firm's pending bankruptcy and ply her old trade in vending the stones. All the while, she's trying to learn the stones' history and dodge those who would prefer to have them, including the original owners who are charging hard to collect their due.

As with many French films, plot development is subtle and, in this mystery, almost too subtle for even the most attentive viewer to devine. At points, it's unclear even how many stones Deneuve's actually holding.

Accordingly, advance knowledge of the players is helpful.

Thinly bearded Berleand is Fresson's brother, wanting the stones to set the business right - and to set Deneuve back into cold storage.

Balding Bacri is a down-and-out repo man, reluctantly enlisted by the owners.

Dutronc's already owned by the owners; his walking brace suggests they don't forgive easily.

Tall & sexy Seigner is a salesclerk for the firm, Fresson's former mistress, both Bacri's and Dutronc's lover - as well as a patsy in Dutronc's scheming.

Deneuve's still lovely, but her age is telling: she's hardly the Belle de Jour we all remember. Still her delivery intrigues, and it's her presence, more than the murky & complex plot, that is the film's best recommendation.