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by CALIFORNIA KAY, staff writer

DVD Release Date: February 11, 2003
Directed by: François Ozon

Written by: François Ozon, Robert Thomas (Play)

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Danielle Darrieux, Fanny Ardant, Emmanuelle Béart, Virginie Ledoyen, Ludivine Sagnier, and Firmine Richard

Rated: R

What do you get when you put a musical, a comedy, a mystery, a drama, and an all-star French cast together in a single movie? You get 8 Women! One of the freshest and funniest cinematic works produced by the French in 2002, 8 Women won various film awards like the Silver Berlin Bear, Lumier, and the European Film Award, and was even nominated for a César and others.

The French have always been famous for excellent screenplays, and this is certainly no exception. François Ozon takes on a new role as a director of a comedic film rather than the more serious dramas, such as Under the Sun and Water Drops on Burning Rocks, for which he’s better known. 8 Women starts off in a mansion in the countryside of Paris during the 1950s, during the snowy, festive season of Christmas. An entire household gets together in celebration, only to find that the lord – and sole male – of the house, is found dead in his bed, with a knife stuck into his blood-bathed back. Secluded from the rest of civilization, with the phone lines cut, the car’s engine sabotaged, and the house gate shut in by the snowstorm, the eight women venture to discover who the murderer is among them. And every one of them is a suspect: the man’s beautiful wife (Catherine Deneuve), her mother (Danielle Darrieux), her sarcastic sharp-tongued sister (Isabelle Huppert), the man’s two daughters (Ludivine Sagnier, Virginie Ledoyen), his mysterious sister (Fanny Ardant), the seductive chambermaid (Emmanuelle Béart), and the lovable housekeeper (Firmine Richard). This film takes you into what might seem like a typical “whodunit” story, but is more than far from it.

This film doesn’t take itself too seriously, and neither should the audience, since 8 Women is a comedic take on the mystery films from the 50s. The French all-star cast breaks into song (memorable, wonderfully-composed French folksongs from the 50’s) at the most inappropriate times (for example, right after the man is murdered), and each woman has an outrageous secret to reveal every five minutes that throws off, rather than helps, anyone’s attempts at solving the murder mystery (trust me, I tried). As arguments and catfights ensue, one can’t help but notice the colorful set and costumes that recreate the atmosphere of being at a play, which speaks of the time and effort invested even in the nitty-gritty details of the film.

Just as colorful are the personalities of each character. Isabelle Huppert (The Piano Teacher) is perhaps the most lovable character in the entire movie . . . or maybe the least lovable, depending on your perception of her after watching 8 Women. Catherine Deneuve (Dancer in the Dark) is infamously beautiful in this film as in any other, and the film reaches out to the younger crowd, too, with Virginie Ledoyen (The Beach) as one of Deneuve’s daughters. The lovely Emmanuelle Béart (Mission: Impossible) appropriately takes on the role of the sexy chambermaid every rich bachelor wishes he had. Fanny Ardant’s deep-set eyes, tall figure, and dark aura make her the perfect actress for her role. This is the perfect movie for those of you who want to take a break from traditionally serious and slow-moving French films (because we all know the French are notorious for slow-moving plots). Some men will even probably look at women from a different light after watching 8 Women. In summary, 8 Women is a fun, sophisticated, wonderful French comedy that is perfect for a movie night with your friends.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10