A young postman and his eccentric, domineering mother firmly refuse to leave their house. The three prominent citizens who want them to do so, for business reasons, use increasingly ugly intimidation tactics. Violence, intrigue and treachery are waiting just round the corner...
Viewed as a thriller, "Poulet au vinaigre" is quite effective, with a good plot and well-drawn, memorable characters. Some of the plot elements provide a touch of eeriness which would not look out of place in a horror movie. As befits a Chabrol, "Poulet" is also a dark satire about the corruption hiding behind bourgeois respectability. There are reasons why the rich and influential get rich and influential, and many of these reasons tend to be deeply unpleasant.
Actor Jean Poiret, in a fine performance, gives his police inspector character a politely sardonic edge which feels genuinely threatening. Whether a police inspector of this nature would be an asset to a modern-day justice system is another question. Somehow the idea of waterboarding, however genteel and discreet, does not entirely fit in with modern notions about suspect's rights and the abolition of torture.
"Poulet au vinaigre" is, of course, a pun, since "poulet" can mean both chicken and policeman. Viewers who like a good meal should note that there exist actual French recipes for chicken with vinegar, some of which were devised by master cooks of immortal repute. Google is your friend here.
Viewed as a thriller, "Poulet au vinaigre" is quite effective, with a good plot and well-drawn, memorable characters. Some of the plot elements provide a touch of eeriness which would not look out of place in a horror movie. As befits a Chabrol, "Poulet" is also a dark satire about the corruption hiding behind bourgeois respectability. There are reasons why the rich and influential get rich and influential, and many of these reasons tend to be deeply unpleasant.
Actor Jean Poiret, in a fine performance, gives his police inspector character a politely sardonic edge which feels genuinely threatening. Whether a police inspector of this nature would be an asset to a modern-day justice system is another question. Somehow the idea of waterboarding, however genteel and discreet, does not entirely fit in with modern notions about suspect's rights and the abolition of torture.
"Poulet au vinaigre" is, of course, a pun, since "poulet" can mean both chicken and policeman. Viewers who like a good meal should note that there exist actual French recipes for chicken with vinegar, some of which were devised by master cooks of immortal repute. Google is your friend here.