>>REVIEW
THE PAGE TURNER
STARRING Deborah Francois, Catherine Frot and Pascal Gregory
DIRECTED BY Denis Dercourt
Opens Friday, May 25
The Globe
Impeccably performed chamber music mingles with the ugliness of revenge in The Page Turner. Despite the stellar music, solid performances and simple beauty of the cinematography, it lacks enough emotional tension to elevate it beyond mere observation to something more substantial.
When gifted young pianist Mélanie Prouvost (Déborah François) experiences a humiliating rejection at a prestigious Paris musical academy, she blames one of the judges, Ariane Fouchécourt (Catherine Frot ), a famed pianist. Rather than move on to other pursuits as any well-adjusted youngster would, she gives up the piano, then broods and schemes for the remainder of her childhood.
Fast forward several years and she has blossomed into a stunning young woman, landing a job interning at Ariane’s husband’s law firm. She also manages to procure a nanny position with the family and invades their home in the French countryside. The indoor pool is eerily filmed and there’s a sense of dread during the swimming scenes.
It’s hard to believe that a family of their status wouldn’t conduct some sort of background check and it’s also mystifying that a woman as bright and successful as Ariane doesn’t recognize the vengeful young woman. Instead, she welcomes Mélanie into her life, asking her to take on the enormous responsibility of turning the pages at the piano during an important recital. Poor timing on the part of the page turner can wreak havoc and throw off an entire performance, and it doesn’t take long before disaster strikes.
She then sets about unravelling the older woman’s life, playing on each of her weaknesses with grim skill and precision. The resourceful nymph initiates an awkward seduction and as the two become closer, the muddled sexual tension is palpable.
François is a gifted young actor who conveys innocence and cunning in equal measure and it’s unsettling. As the older, outwardly confident but inwardly more fragile of the two, Frot’s performance is impressive and sublime.
The husband, Jean Fouchécourt (Pascal Greggory) is physically absent for much of the film but his presence is very much felt in the home as both Tristan and Ariane strive to gain his favour. Despite being a secondary character, Greggory turns in a convincing performance as a polished lawyer obsessed with his wife’s career.
The Page Turner is stylishly filmed and the acting is solid, but it lacks resonance. |
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