Sadly, this was to be Alain Corneau's last film, as he died a week after this premiered.
Ludivine Sagnier and Kristin Scott-Thomas star as Isabelle and Christine, who both work for a conglomerate with offices all over the world. Christine (Scott-Thomas) is Isabelle's boss and seems very fond of her. Isabelle does amazing work, which Christine takes credit for. Isabelle seems okay with that, even when her coworker, Daniel (Guillaume Marquet) points it out.
Isabelle and Christine are both involved with the same co-worker, Philippe (Patrick Mille). Christine, being hard-boiled, has information on Philippe concerning a shortage in some of his accounts.
At Daniel's urging, Isabelle gives a report to the American firm interested in working with them, and they are very impressed, particularly when she says that it's hers and she takes full responsibility for it. The firm had initially offered Christine a lucrative job in New York and she had purchased an apartment; now they tell her that it was premature to offer it to her and they will discuss it later.
Christine confronts Isabelle and accuses her of trying to make her look bad, usurping her authority, etc., etc. Later she uses what she has on Philippe to have him make a date with Isabelle and then break it. When Isabelle calls Philippe, Christine answers and basically declares war on Isabelle. She then humiliates Isabelle at a party.
It goes from there.
The French for some reason do this kind of film very well, and Love Crime is no exception. The men are secondary to the two competitive women with their own agendas. The environment of the office is sterile and ultramodern
Kristin Scott-Thomas is excellent as the cold Christine, a smile barely covering a truly nasty personality. When she asks how Isabelle's hair would look down before a meeting, Isabelle shows her - and Christine says, keep it up. That's because with her hair down, you can see what a dazzling young beauty Isabelle is, and Christine has to keep her in her place.
Sagnier, with her wide-eyed, innocent face, is perfect as a sweet woman who realizes she's in a jungle and needs to fight to survive.
Very good if predictable film once you see where it's going.
Ludivine Sagnier and Kristin Scott-Thomas star as Isabelle and Christine, who both work for a conglomerate with offices all over the world. Christine (Scott-Thomas) is Isabelle's boss and seems very fond of her. Isabelle does amazing work, which Christine takes credit for. Isabelle seems okay with that, even when her coworker, Daniel (Guillaume Marquet) points it out.
Isabelle and Christine are both involved with the same co-worker, Philippe (Patrick Mille). Christine, being hard-boiled, has information on Philippe concerning a shortage in some of his accounts.
At Daniel's urging, Isabelle gives a report to the American firm interested in working with them, and they are very impressed, particularly when she says that it's hers and she takes full responsibility for it. The firm had initially offered Christine a lucrative job in New York and she had purchased an apartment; now they tell her that it was premature to offer it to her and they will discuss it later.
Christine confronts Isabelle and accuses her of trying to make her look bad, usurping her authority, etc., etc. Later she uses what she has on Philippe to have him make a date with Isabelle and then break it. When Isabelle calls Philippe, Christine answers and basically declares war on Isabelle. She then humiliates Isabelle at a party.
It goes from there.
The French for some reason do this kind of film very well, and Love Crime is no exception. The men are secondary to the two competitive women with their own agendas. The environment of the office is sterile and ultramodern
Kristin Scott-Thomas is excellent as the cold Christine, a smile barely covering a truly nasty personality. When she asks how Isabelle's hair would look down before a meeting, Isabelle shows her - and Christine says, keep it up. That's because with her hair down, you can see what a dazzling young beauty Isabelle is, and Christine has to keep her in her place.
Sagnier, with her wide-eyed, innocent face, is perfect as a sweet woman who realizes she's in a jungle and needs to fight to survive.
Very good if predictable film once you see where it's going.