Review of Claude Chabrol Collection, The: Volume 2

Introduction

PLEASURE PARTY

Claude Chabrol, a prolific French director, has had a long and successful career, but is largely unknown to English speaking audiences, myself included. `Pleasure Party` (`Une Partie de Plaisir`), concentrates on the build up to and fallout from an arrangement in which Phillipe and Esther have affairs in order to clear the tension in their relationship. Needless to say, this doesn`t work and Philippe becomes consumed by jealousy. Previously content to host large dinner parties and discuss politics with the guests, Philippe now finds himself obsessed with his wife`s infidelity, which he instigated but now regrets. This leads to more erratic and destructive behaviour, shouting at dinner guests, trying to re-establish his alpha-male status, forcing more stress on the relationship and ultimately ending their happy bourgeois existence.

The casting is interesting because the on-screen family is played by a real-life family unit: Paul Gégauff (who also wrote the screenplay), his ex-wife Danièle and their daughter Clemence.

Video

A decent pillarboxed transfer although the picture within the 1.78:1 frame has the odd aspect ratio of 1.62:1. Released in 1975, this film is full of outrageous and comical fashions: skin-tight flared trousers, checkered shirts, cravats - where did the French get their reputation for high fashion?!

Audio

The Dolby Digital 2.0 mono soundtrack is perfectly acceptable for such a dialogue-driven film as this. The optional English subtitles are excellent.

Features

None, which is strange for a film released in a box set without a designated extras disc.

Conclusion

`Pleasure Party` has an interesting premise, and one that promises fireworks, but sadly, the film doesn`t deliver them. Philippe is such an unsympathetic character and he and Esther seem so ill matched that it`s a wonder that they ever got married in the first place. The fact that Esther becomes attracted to and spends more time with Habib is no surprise, when her self-important boor of a husband speaks down to everyone around him, driving her away with his arrogance and insecurity.

In such an unbelievable relationship, the two leads` acting is, nevertheless, very good and the direction is assured, yet `Pleasure Party` is not a particularly entertaining or enjoyable film, probably best appreciated by Claude Chabrol fans.