Nathalie Baye is outstanding in the role of Marie-France Ducret, the able "assistant," who succeeds in worming her way into the life of Thomas Lemans. A decent man, Thomas had committed vehicular homicide while rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital. While crossing the street, little Sebastien died in the accident, and he was the son of Marie-France. Now, it is payback time.
Despite the tasteful cinematography, interesting locations, and excellent performances, the shortcoming of the film was that it took itself too seriously. It was as if this were a documentary account of a true story of psychopathology and revenge. Even with Hitchcock's films, there are moments of levity with the director's cameo appearances. In "La volante," the subject matter was relentlessly grim and ghoulish.
One is astounded by the degree of obsession of Marie-France as she seduces Thomas's father, a lonely widower. This provides her with the entrance into the Lemans family that she covets in order to be close to little Leo, who is to replace Sebastien in her life. It was hard to take the moment when Marie-France beat the poor old man to a pulp.
Marie-France had many capabilities as an assistant. She was shrewd and ambitious. She also could turn on the charm. It was only the hapless Audrey who was able to perceive and prophesy the depth of Marie-France's scheming.
This was a sad tale filled with sordid acts and lacking in redemption as a portrait of a world gone mad.
Despite the tasteful cinematography, interesting locations, and excellent performances, the shortcoming of the film was that it took itself too seriously. It was as if this were a documentary account of a true story of psychopathology and revenge. Even with Hitchcock's films, there are moments of levity with the director's cameo appearances. In "La volante," the subject matter was relentlessly grim and ghoulish.
One is astounded by the degree of obsession of Marie-France as she seduces Thomas's father, a lonely widower. This provides her with the entrance into the Lemans family that she covets in order to be close to little Leo, who is to replace Sebastien in her life. It was hard to take the moment when Marie-France beat the poor old man to a pulp.
Marie-France had many capabilities as an assistant. She was shrewd and ambitious. She also could turn on the charm. It was only the hapless Audrey who was able to perceive and prophesy the depth of Marie-France's scheming.
This was a sad tale filled with sordid acts and lacking in redemption as a portrait of a world gone mad.