Elle is a 2016 psychological thriller film directed by Paul Verhoeven, based on the novel Oh… by Philippe Djian. The film follows the story of Michèle, a successful businesswoman and the CEO of a video game company, who is violently attacked in her own home by an unknown assailant. Despite this, Michèle decides not to report the incident to the police and instead takes matters into her own hands, leading her down a dangerous path of revenge.
Review:
Elle received widespread critical acclaim for its daring and provocative storyline, as well as its powerful lead performance by Isabelle Huppert. Many critics praised the film's ability to navigate complex themes such as trauma, sexuality, and power dynamics with intelligence and nuance. While some found the film's controversial subject matter difficult to watch, others admired its uncompromising approach to storytelling.
Awards:
Elle was nominated for numerous awards and won several, including:
- Best Actress (Isabelle Huppert) at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
- Best Foreign Language Film at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards
- Best Actress (Isabelle Huppert) at the 2017 BAFTA Awards
- Best International Film at the 2017 Independent Spirit Awards
Overall, Elle is a challenging but rewarding film that explores complex themes with intelligence and nuance, anchored by an unforgettable performance by Isabelle Huppert.
| Directed by | Paul Verhoeven |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | David Birke |
| Based on | Oh… by Philippe Djian |
| Produced by | Saïd Ben Saïd Michel Merkt |
| Starring | Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Anne Consigny, Charles Berling, Virginie Efira, Judith Magre, Christian Berkel, Jonas Bloquet, Alice Isaaz, Vimala Pons, Arthur Mazet, Raphaël Lenglet, Lucas Prisor, |
| Cinematography | Stéphane Fontaine |
| Edited by | Job ter Burg |
| Music by | Anne Dudley |
| Production companies |
SBS Productions Pallas Film France 2 Cinéma Entre Chien et Loup Canal+ France Télévisions Orange Cinéma Séries Casa Kafka Pictures Proximus Centre National de la Cinématographie Filmförderungsanstalt |
| Distributed by | SBS Distribution Sony Pictures Classics (United States) |
| Release dates | 21 May 2016 (Cannes) 25 May 2016 (France) 16 February 2017 (Germany) |
| Running time | 130 minutes |
| Countries | France Germany |
| Language | French |
| Budget | $9.1 million |
| Box office | $12.7 million |