Serie Noire (1979)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

IMDb synopsis says that Franck Poupart, played by Patrick Dewaere, is 'slightly neurotic'. It's actually much worse, Poupart is a complete maniac, left unsupervised in a jungle of HLM, terrains vagues, poverty and filth. He even readily mumbles to himself that he's psychotic.I heard of Série noire when looking up Dewaere bio on wikipedia. It was mentioned how physically hard the filming was on the actors, and on Dewaere in particular. The characters keep fighting and shouting at each other, and they won't stop until they're completely exhausted or drunk. Except of course for Blier, who plays the soft spoken treacherous coward. I found this movie very close in spirit to Zola who would place weak personalities in a closed environment to sadistically observe what happens. Everyone is to blame for what happens, everyone is guilty. This is a true chef d'œuvre, but a disturbing one, the kind of movie you'll be thinking of for days to come. It's all about madness, and you'll wonder how far you are from falling into it.

French slacker Franck Poupart is having a hard time as a door-to-door salesman. Basically, his merchandise is of doubtful quality. One day, while driving in a suburban area, he spots a beautiful woman on a window. He decides to stop by the house. An older lady answers the door. From what Franck shows her she decides on a house coat. As a form of payment, the old woman offers him to go upstairs, where Mona is happy to oblige, getting completely naked, a feast for Patrick's eyes, but he refuses to do anything. As he leaves the house, the old lady suggests he brings her a warm winter coat.At home, Franck's life is in disarray. Not only is his house something of a mess, his life with his wife, Jeanne, has seen better days. After a confrontation where he slaps her, Jeanne decides to walk out. At work, Franck is in trouble with his boss, Staplin, who clearly realizes his employee is up to no good, who cannot even collect from a poor man, Tikides, the money for the suit of inferior material he got from Franck.Abandoned by Jeanne, Franck gets a visit from Mona. She tells him about the possibility of getting some easy money from the older woman. The plot involves Tikides, who after a drinking bout with the salesman, is ready for anything. Franck has a confrontation with the lady, something that ends badly. He never finds money in the house, but he gets a gun under the mattress.Alain Corneau neonoir film showed up recently on cable. Not having seen it, we decided to take a look. "Series Noir" is somewhat dated. The copy shown had a faded look to it, that together with the depressing atmosphere of the staging, did not contribute to its enjoyment. Patrick Dewaere's appearance was what motivated this viewer to watch it. This actor, who sadly disappeared much too early, gives an intense reading to his Franck. We found him somewhat irritating in his approach to this scumbag he was portraying, although, judging from other comments we are in the minority. Same could be said of Marie Trintignant's Mona. The great Bernard Blier is excellent as the boss. The adaptation of Jim Thompson's novel was written by the director and Georges Perec.

The late seventies, the very dull east suburban area of Paris, winter, waste grounds and awful new towns in the landscape. The set is definitely a character of the film. An amazing thriller, very dark with unique characters, completely lost in their misery, although full of the little hopes of ordinary lives. The cast includes a wonderful Patrick Deweare as "Franck", a magnificent looser, and Marie Trintignant as "Mona" a desperate teenager, almost autistic. Their encounter is the lead of this bloody black romance, that will leave you, nevertheless, with an optimistic feeling...

One of the most original film experiences of the 70s is certainly French. Série noire is distinctive in its narrative and the form is never overwhelming the content.Although most of it seems improvised, it is always surprising to learn that all of it was written down to the last word by Perec.The most fascinating aspect of this movie is the angle of "harsh realism" that Corneau chose to tell the story. No external music is polluting the grimy atmosphere depicted with true to life colors and textures. And yet, it is one of the most romantic movie - in the purest form of the genre - that one can wish for.And how can anyone not be touched by the late Patrick Deweare acting. It has been said that this movie took such a toll on the actor that some are almost suggesting that it was the starting point of his depressive state. It is truly a very moving, strong performance, full of surprise and nuance, almost so strong that it is unbearable to watch.For those who are searching for a new kind of film making and acting, Série noire is certainly one of the best movies to provide such an experience.