Olivier-23 Reviews

The Apartment (1996)

A truly great romantic thriller

[30 August 1999]

L'appartement is simply a great movie : Mimouni's timing and cross-reference story is a state-of-the-art craftsmanship. What I prefer in this movie is, apart from the excellent acting of the three main actors, Paris, Paris which is an active part of the story as the eternal city where anything can happen, especially decisive encounters. The blend of Hitchockian techniques and the use of the city is stunning, and makes you want to see this dimension of Paris, instead of the usual Eiffel Tower tour. An absolute must-see.

Buffet Froid (1979)

A Monument of humour

[30 August 1999]

A monument of dark humour, Buffet Froid relies more on what is not said rather than the obvious slapstick humour we're being fed on extensively these days. I showed it to many people and a lot of them admitted they did not understand because it was not "anchored in reality" - to which I answered that not everything is supposed to be. This is superior quality surrealism, and the trio Depardieu-Blier-Carmet works wonders. RENT IT !