The Page Turner

At the request of a dear friend of mine and a founder of this blog, I have set myself the task to cover the too little explored section of the title "CineBooks". In short, my contribution will consist in film reviews. Before I begin I would like to make the reason why I choose to write in Shakespeare's language clear. I am a student at the Faculty of Letters, Iasi and my whole existence will revolve around English. Therefore what better way to exercise my craft then through writing? This said, let us start with our jurney through the cinematic art with a French treat.




We can identify throughout the history of film making the reoccurring theme of “revenge is a dish best served cold”. Yet through Denis Decourt’s 2006 “The Page Turner,” a potentially cliché theme is revived as with a drop of French perfume. With a musical background and an atmosphere of elegance with gradual and subtle building of tension, the French director almost seems to transform the cold dish into a fine wine. And as wine is best aged so is revenge.

The pursuer of vengeance is Mélanie Prouvost. As a child, she was a meticulous piano player with the ambition of passing from private lessons to the Conservatory. Yet her confidence is shattered at the audition by an egocentric jury member, whom amidst the girl’s performance signs an autograph and thus breaking her concentration. Consequently she fails her exam and vows to never play the piano again. The next scene spans after 10 years, when this girl is grown up and is appointed to work in a lawyer's firm. By chance the owner of the firm needs somebody to look after his son for the summer and Melanie is willing. As if by fate, the lawyer is the husband of that female jury member because of whom this girl was not able to pursue her interest in music - playing piano. The remaining part of the story is about Mellanie’s slow revenge as she gains the confidence of the lady, Ariane Fouchécourt( a pianist who’s nerves are shattered by a previous car accident) to destroy her world.

Melanie is played by the beautiful Deborah Francois, who portrays excellently the young introverted and apparently innocent young girl with perfect ease and comfort. Behaving like a serious-minded child, her youthful beauty conceals the ugliness of a ruthless monster. We cannot omit either the performance of Catherine Frot in the role of Ariane. The way she expresses the feeling of insecurity through the trembling of the hands inspires such pity that one would be tempted to forgive her for her initial arrogance. A brilliant performance Denis Dercourt uses images to transfer the thoughts going on the character's mind with natural ease on screen. As the story unfolds, we the audience, since we have the upper hand of knowing Melanie’s true intent , feel the suspense and wonder what the girl will do next.

All together the movie is a brilliant psychological thriller with a touch of classical music in the background with an ending all too European.

Worth watching.

Your humble servant.