Young Suzon (Virginie Ledoyen) returns to her parents’ estate in the French countryside to spend the holidays. In short order, we meet her beautiful mother Gaby (Catherine Deneuve); her doting maternal grandmother (Danielle Darrieux); her impish 16-year-old sister Catherine (Ludivine Sagnier); her insolent maternal aunt Augustine (Isabelle Huppert); the household’s beloved cook Chanel (Firemine Richard); and the new maid Louise (Emmanuelle Beart). There is much rejoicing, but also bitterness shown by Aunt Augustine and suspicious glances by the maid Louise.
Before we’ve even had a chance to meet Suzon’s father, he’s found dead. In his bed. With a knife in his back. And the telephone line has been cut. A winter storm prevents the women from going for help.
Suzon becomes the interrogator, first going into the curious maid Louise. She discovers that her father’s black sheep sister, Pierrette (Fanny Ardant) is unexpectedly on the estate grounds probably spending time with the cook Chanel in the cabin where Chanel lives. Chanel tells Suzon that Louise is a job-hopping floozie.
The grandmother informs Suzon that her father had no money left and he stole the grandmother’s investment bonds two days prior.
Oh, wait, you need to follow the film to see the mystery unfold. Each woman has cause – and secrets. And beware, one never knows when one of these women will break into song!
An odd little film, not for everyone.
Directed by Francois Ozon.
Subtitles.
Run time: 1 hour, 58 minutes
Rated R
My personal rating: B-
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