Les Cousins [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Director: Claude Chabrol Claude Chabrol

Overview

This was the first of several films that would win international awards for French New Wave director Claude Chabrol. His aloof, innovative approach to the simple story says as much as the plot itself in which two cousins symbolize polar opposites. Charles (Gerard Blain ) is the cousin from the provinces with "bourgeois" values. His steadfast determination unfortunately does not help him pass exams or at first, succeed with women. Paul (Jean-Claude Brialy) is the urbane, rather debauched and decadent cousin who appears to conquer all. Appearances can be deceiving as they soon discover when Charles falls for Paul's friend Florence (Juliette Mayniel) -- and tragedy waits in the wings.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/20/2011
UPC:	0715515086516
Original Release:	1959
Rating:	NR
Source:	Criterion Collection
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:49:00
Sales rank:	14,621

Special Features

Audio commentary featuring film scholar Adrian Martin ; Theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Gerard Blain	Charles
Jean-Claude Brialy	Paul
Claude Cerval	Clovis Dalbecque
Juliette Mayniel	Florence
Geneviève Cluny	Geneviève
Michele Meritz	Yvonne
Corrado Guarducci	Italian Count
Guy Decomble	Librarian
Paul Bisciglia	Marc
Stephane Audran	Françoise
Andre Jocelyn	Actor
Gilbert Edard	Actor
Jeanne Perez	Cleaning lady
Jean-Louis Maury	Actor
Jean-Pierre Moulin	Actor
Jean-Marie Arnoux	Actor
Paul Misraki	Composer

Technical Credits

Claude Chabrol

Paul Gegauff

Claude Chabrol	Director,Screenwriter,Producer
Paul Gegauff	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Most tales of the "city mouse, country mouse" variety tend to be rather lighthearted, but Les Cousins takes a darker view of the situation, resulting in a fascinating, mesmerizing, bleak film, the comedy of which is distinctly black. In director/writer Claude Chabrol's tale, the simple virtues of "good" cousin Charles cannot compete with the decadent force of will the "bad" cousin Paul. In Charles' eyes, it is all unfair, yet Chabrol doesn't see it that way. There isn't really fair or unfair, or perhaps it's more correct to say that determining fair and unfair requires a more complex way of looking at things than is normally assumed. Moral ambiguity and guilt are Chabrol's stock in trade here, and he layers the story with them in a most affecting manner. The result is a cruel film, but its brutality has an honesty to it. One cannot warm to Paul, whose arrogance and sadism keep him at a distance. But Charles never quite captures one's heart either, despite his role as the victim. Chabrol contrasts them in a complicated pas de deux that brings them vividly to life. He's aided immeasurably by Gerard Blain and Jean-Claude Brialy's letter-perfect performances, as ell as by an equally effective on from Juliette Mayniel. Some will find Cousins difficult to watch, especially the orgy sequence with its Nazi ending. But those who can stick with it will be amply rewarded.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler