Florence Blot Movies
Director Roman Polanski casts himself in the lead of the psychological thriller The Tenant. Trelkovsky (Polanski) rents an apartment in a spooky old residential building, where his neighbors -- mostly old recluses -- eye him with suspicious contempt. Upon discovering that the apartment's previous tenant, a beautiful young woman, jumped from the window in a suicide attempt, Trelkovsky begins obsessing over the dead woman. Growing increasingly paranoid, Trelkovsky convinces himself that his neighbors plan to kill him. He even comes to the conclusion that Stella (Isabel Adjani), the woman he has fallen in love with, is in on the "plot." Ultimately, Polanski assumes the identity of the suicide victim -- and inherits her self-destructive urges. Some critics found the movie tedious and overdone; others compared it to Polanski's early breakthrough, Repulsion. The film was based on Le Locataire Chimerique, a novel by Roland Topor. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roman Polanski, Isabelle Adjani, (more)
- 1973
This is one of the seemingly innumerable French comedies made in the early '70s featuring the musicians-turned-comedians, Les Charlots. They play a group of inept but good-hearted fellows who help a small market owner compete with a large supermarket across the street by shoplifting enough from the big store to enable the smaller store to carry on. The store owner is able to re-do his little store and, though it offers little competition to the larger one, he is bought out for a lot of money. Highlights include a motorcycle chase and several songs. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Starring:
- Les Charlots, Roger Carel, (more)
- 1971
In this characteristic French farce, Louis De Funes in the role of Antoine spoofs the 1959 American classic black comedy, Gazebo. In Jo, De Funes is being investigated by the police because his name was on a list kept by a missing blackmailer who is presumed to be dead. Antoine has good reason to know, as he was there when the fellow died; in the moment he almost managed to shoot the man, someone else kills him. He is stuck with the body, and he keeps having to move it while the police are watching him. Fortunately for him, they are somewhat inept. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Starring:
- Claude Gensac, Christiane Muller, (more)
- 1965
In the second installment of the parodic Fantomas series, the title arch criminal and master of disguise kidnaps prominent scientist Prof. Marchand in order to develop a new powerful weapon to threaten the world. Fantomas is also planning to kidnap another scientist, Prof. Lefebvre. Journalist Fandor (Jean Marais, who also plays Fantomas and Prof. Lefebvre) decides to set a trap for the elusive villain. He disguises himself as Lefebvre and attends a scientific conference in Rome expecting Fantomas to kidnap him. As always, Fandor's ingenious plan backfires due to the interference of the bumbling police commissioner Juve (Louis de Funès). ~ Yuri German, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jean Marais, Louis de Funès, (more)
- 1959
- NR
French comedian Fernandel stars in this entertaining comedy based on a short story by O. Henry, The Ransom of Red Chief. Antoine (Fernandel) has the brilliant idea of kidnapping the son of a millionaire in order to raise the money he and his partner Paolo (Gino Cervi) need to buy their own auto repair shop. The kidnapping is quite successful but Antoine and Paolo soon discover that little Erick (Papouf) is more than just a handful. Even when Antoine dresses up as a Native American, Erick is not amused for long. The little boy is trouble incarnate, and soon the erstwhile kidnappers are ready to pay for his parents to take him back. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Fernandel, Gino Cervi, (more)
