La dame dans l'auto avec des lunettes et un fusil (2015) Reviews

• Better than expected

  Seth_Rogue_One2017-01-22

  A slow-paced stylish dreamlike psychological dramathriller that kept my interest rather well. The story-telling is a bit vague at times and occasionally flat out incoherent but that suits the film and it's main character's state of mind who is a bit of a daydreamer, and is not always 'in touch with reality'. It's a bit of a mystery so the less you know regarding the plot the better you'll probably perceive the film. It felt a bit like something De Palma might have done in the 70's if he made a French movie. A bit film noirish. I'm sure there are other French directors that would be better to be referencing but I haven't seen tremendously many French films I must admit. Turns out it's actually a remake of another little known French film from 1970 by the same name. Just read the main actress Freya Mayor's bio and I was really surprised to find out that she is Scottish, she seemed to be speaking French rather well so thought she was a native French (although I of course is no expert on that). Anyways she played the role well. It's a very visual film some critics claimed it was a 90 minute musicvideo, I don't agree with that but I guess I can see where they are coming from. There is a lot of music in the movie and occasionally rather limited dialogue, but it works IMO and the soundtrack is great. And the cinematography is excellent. It might not be a movie that's something for everyone's taste but it suited me just fine.

• A worthwhile homage to a bygone type of film

  lazarillo2016-02-15

  This is not a movie I would recommend to EVERYONE, but a certain kind of viewer would definitely enjoy it immensely, mostly those that are already familiar with the colorful, psychological (and very Freudian) mystery-thrillers popular in Continental Europe in the 1960's and early 70's--movies like "The Frightened Woman", "Girl on a Motorcycle", "La Piscine", "All the Colors of Darkness", "Footprints on the Moon" and even UK/American films like "Repulsion" or "Psycho" fit in here a little. These films all are based on the old-fashioned idea of women as hysterical, mentally unstable creatures who are both easily manipulated by others and never too far from a complete psychotic break. Most of these films are regarded somewhat ironically today by their fans (like myself), but, of course, the irony in this movie is completely intentional, just like the nostalgia factor. The nostalgia meanwhile will no doubt appeal not just to fans of this long ago genre, but also to people who enjoyed other recent Euro films that pay homage to this era like the "OSS 117" films and the romantic French comedy "Populaire" (also a tale about tres sexy French secretary in pre-woman's lib days). I won't rehash the plot, but this is a fairly effective thriller that really keeps the audience guessing about whether the protagonist is hysterically crazy or is being manipulated by others. Like the original films, it has a strong visual style, also very reminiscent of the recent French giallo homage "Amer", but not quite as over-the-top in its non-linearity and hallucinatory visuals. The lead Freya Mavor is a very strong asset. She's not necessarily believable as a mousy secretary at the beginning, because even in her more "repressed" guise she's sexy as all hell. But the same can be said of all the femmes that originally played these beautiful head-case roles--Catherine Deneuve, Edwige Fenech, Barbara Bouchet--or the modern-day actress Deborah Francoise, who played the "shy", sexed-up secretary in "Populaire". The rest of the cast is mostly male and suitably either creepy and sinister or charming and sinister. Most notable is who plays the protagonist's handsome boss at the "Mad Men"-type ad agency where she works . His younger wife, who was a former colleague of the protagonist before she married the boss, meanwhile is played by Staci Martin from "Nymphomaniac". The only thing this movie is missing frankly is a gratuitous lesbian scene between them (which wouldn't have been gratuitous at all since these movies are all ABOUT style over substance). I doubt anyone will be too disappointed though because Mavor herself is certainly sexy enough for one movie and spends most of the film modeling various abbreviated fashions of the day or appearing in various stages of undress (and in one very hot sex scene). Of course, there are many people who are perfectly fine with the fact that they don't make films like this anymore (even in France). But nevertheless as an homage to very different era, and a very different kind of filmmaking, this is certainly a worthwhile effort

• Weird moody ride, briskly paced, intriguing ambiguity and darkly playful story

  alexishallaert2015-09-01

  Great aesthetics throughout, beautifully shot, amusingly playful dialogues -sometimes unreal, sometimes carrying shifting meanings or seemingly no meaning at all- this film is a dreamy, sensual ride with a gorgeous actress (and character) on which the camera often lingers... The male counterpart can also be evocative though, but I like how the film just celebrates this beautiful woman, and with great music makes her attitude even more catchy. Meanwhile, the character is ambiguous, sometimes naive, other times vindicative and strong, sometimes simply weak. I struggle to find the underlying meaning of the film and though I have theories I am more than satisfied to let my appreciation of the movie be on a purely aesthetic level.

• A boring simple film which tries to be artistic...

  Dr_Sagan2016-01-09

  Freya Mavor is a Scottish (not French) actress and model. She is thin and tall, easy one the eyes and definitely hot... Well, I really hope you like her ...a lot, because she is practically in ...every scene of this movie! Not doing anything really. Walking, driving, observing, changing clothes... There is a plot but is simple and totally naive with today's standards. That's why it is supposed to take place a few decades ago where forensics were basic and you could fool them more easily. The narrative has some serious problems. You may think at some point that it might be similar to Memento, but that's far from the truth. The premise is really simple, just the narrative and the editing (lots of split screens and linear wipes) are confusing. Overall: It is a boring film witch tries to be artistic in terms of narrative, editing and cinematography. The leading lady is practically in every scene so if you like her, you might be bored less. Generally, I don't recommend this movie.

• Quite good!

  fil-nik092015-12-31

  What an interesting movie! There is something quite Lana Del Reysque about this movie that is really intriguing and beautiful at the same time. The main female role is perfect. Very convincing. Very French and suitable for this kind of mystery thriller. The title of the movie just adds something unusual to it which goes perfectly with unusual development of the movie. As the girl is on her way to the sea ( that she has never seen) you get the feeling that she is not well mentally...that maybe she has a bipolar dysfunctional personality or something. That even maybe it is something in her glasses that she switches from time to time or even that her bipolar personality has something to do with mirrors... Well, at least, I had that feeling. And the feeling of mystery - I would say - is the predominant in the movie. It is nicely shot. Keeps you guessing and wondering ... the end with the explanation is really unexpected, but it is fitting. All in all, quite good! 8 from me. as it is some 2 hours and 45 minutes to midnight and new 2016, this may very well be the last movie I watched in 2015. Not a bad ending.