The story revolves around Gabrielle Deneige, a young French woman who has a high profile job presenting the weather on French TV. Renowned author Charles Saint-Denis is interviewed at the television station where Gabrielle works, and a connection is instantly forged. Later, at a book signing, the bond deepens, despite the presence of a spoiled, ultra-rich, pharmaceutical heir, who longs to claim Gabrielle as his own. Despite the fact that Charles is still "happily married", he and Gabrielle share an intimate afternoon at the author's nearby pied-a-terre. Later, as the potentially psychotic Paul steps up his pursuit of Gabrielle, the young woman begins to question the purity of intention of either of her suitors.
In 78 year-old Claude Chabrol’s The Girl Cut In Two, Ludivine Sagnier’s gorgeous TV weather girl gets romantically caught between distinguished (and married) author François Berléand and nouveau riche playboy Benoît Magimel. In premise alone it could be a tacky French farce, but Chabrol milks the central conceit for black comedy, decadent atmosphere (check the prowling camera), slow-burning twisty thrills and a surreal ending.
As much as he is interested in Sagnier’s dilemma, Chabrol also pays proper attention to the men in her life: both suitors (especially Magimel, looking like a reject from ABC) are weird and interesting. Chabrol doesn’t hurry getting to the dramatic nub, but the result is absorbing, erotic, cold and dark.
Accomplished multi-layered cinema that is both engrossing and darkly funny.
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