The Crime Is Mine: A Delightful Comedy Harkening Melodrama Nostalgia

The Crime is Mine, directed and written by Francois Ozon, loosely based on the 1934 play Mon Crime, is a lively and entertaining film with the feel of a stylized melodramatic play. With excellent acting, timing and flow, this film is sure to charm viewers into its light-hearted grasp.

Caught in desperation

Madeleine Verdier (Nadia Tereszkiewicz) is an up and coming actress in 1930’s Paris. She and her roommate Pauline Mauleon (Rebecca Marder), a young up and coming lawyer, share a tiny, broken down flat. With rent that is months overdue, and Madeleine’s career at a standstill they are both desperate for prospects.

Madeleine is invited to seedy producer Montferrand’s (Jean Christophe Bouvet) mansion to “discuss” a possible role for her. While she is there she finds, like many young actresses, that he is only interested in having her as a sexual mistress.

After fighting her assailant off, she returns home to more bad news about past due bills only to have her boyfriend Andre (Edouard Sulpice), stop by to tell her that his wealthy father M. Bonnard (Andre Doussolier) is insisting that he marry into another wealthy family. He also discusses having her as a mistress so they can still stay together.

Frustrated that she doesn’t have any other prospects to help her, she overdramatically muses taking her own life with her pistol. Pauline talks her out of it believing there is a less permanent way to proceed.

When they are visited by M. Brun (Regis Laspales), a local detective, and told that Montferrand has been murdered, Madeleine becomes a suspect.

Murder is a good thing?

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The story takes a twisted turn when Madeleine finds out that she cannot be put in jail for killing someone in self defense. With Pauline representing her in court Madeleine makes a desperate plea, accepting responsibility for Montferrand’s death.

When she is acquitted, she becomes a shooting star, seen by others as representing purity and a model of a woman who refuses to put up with attacks by sleazy men. Her fame soars and she and Pauline finally enjoy the life they were hoping for.

When Odette Chaumette (Isabelle Huppert), an out of work older actress comes to them claiming that she was the actual killer and wants compensation from Madeleine’s fame, Madeleine faces another unexpected challenge.

What is the truth? Will Madeleine’s fame be stolen by a blackmailer or will she have to confess to a story that may or may not be true?

in all honesty…

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The Crime Is Mine is a funny, beautifully charismatic film, full of brilliant characters, gorgeous costumes and captivating production design.

Everything, from the acting, writing, costuming, pacing, editing and scenic design, seemed absolutely effortless. It never drags, bores or overcompensates. Because of the harmonically orchestrated craft and collaboration by the artists involved, there is not a single frame that doesn’t belong.

The protagonist Odette Chaumette has such a hilarious stint that she doesn’t even feel like a true “villain”, and Dany Boon plays an absolutely charming Fernand Palmarede, who becomes a mentor and father figure for Madeleine.

Also want to shout out Pascaline Chavanne, Constance Allain and their entire crew for such superb, impeccable costume designs and wardrobe, and also the artists behind the sets and set dressing. Their combined efforts really brought to life the times in such a sumptuous, romantic way.

This exquisite film that you’re sure to relish is available on BluRay, and streaming on most major platforms in the U.S. It is such a pleasure and rarity to come across films such as this in my profession. I hope you like and support it.

Enjoy!