The Crime is Mine (Mon Crime) is the latest film from prolific queer French director Francois Ozon (Swimming Pool, Summer of 85, 8 Women), one of France’s most modern film directors. Loosely based on the 1934 play Mon Crime, Ozon’s adaptation is an amusing feminist screwball romp, championing a sorority, set in mid-1930’s Paris.
Struggling actor Madeleine (Nadia Tereszkiewicz) and equally struggling lawyer Pauline (Rebecca Marder) live together in a tiny one-bedroomed garret in Paris. They are months behind with their rent and various debt collectors are chasing them for other overdue bills. Madeleine’s latest audition ends in tears when the part is only offered to her on condition that she perform on the casting couch of acclaimed producer Montferrand (Jean-Christophe Bouvet). She storms off home from the audition, only to find out later that Montferrand was murdered the same afternoon and that she is the prime suspect. Pauline offers to defend her, and the two twenty-somethings hatch a plan to deal with the bumbling all-male prosecutors and jury and gain some wealth and glory.
Of course, things don’t go exactly to plan and we are taken on a joyfully theatrical dance through a farcical plot that introduces several great supporting characters. These include Isabelle Huppert, who plays Odette, a glamorous yet fading, scheming silent movie star, and Edouard Sulpice who plays Madeleine’s handsome, yet comically dim, boyfriend. All wrapped up in great costumes and fantastic pre-war 1930s sets. I can’t give away anything about the plot other than to say Ozon has created an homage to intelligent sisterhood whilst highlighting how many useless, bumbling, pompous men are in charge of key positions in society. Ozon’s film has a serious message but the point is cleverly made in a witty, fast-paced manner – usually the best way to get your view across. Lots of fun.
Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
