The name Claude Chabrol invokes mystery and murder. A look at the rich upper-class. Family secrets and the lies within them. But Chabrol's "The Swindle" doesn't swing as hard as he normally does at these targets.
In another review that would be a major criticism. In Chabrol's "The Swindle" it is a compliment. Rarely has Chabrol seemed to be having so much fun with his cast and crew. The film has elements so light they could boarder on comedy. The only recent film Chabrol has made where he seems to be having this much fun is "Comedy of Power" also with Isabelle Huppert.
"The Swindle" tells the story of two small time crooks; Elizabeth (Huppert) and Victor (Michel Serrault). Elizabeth lures men into buying her a drink and take her to their hotel room, only for Elizabeth to drug them while Victor comes in and picks their pocket. Though he only takes half! Even crooks have morals.
Their arrangement seems to be going fine until Elizabeth says she wants to take a vacation before their next scheme, a dentist convention in Switzerland. Victor agrees as he constantly reminds Elizabeth about their next job.
Elizabeth tricks Victor and shows up early with another man, Maurice (Francois Cluzet). She tells Victor she is playing him for a fool. But is she really? Maurice is on business to deliver 5 million Swiss Francs to a Monsieur K (Jean-Francois Balmer). But why? Who is Monsieur K? What is Maurice really up to?
Chabrol has a lot of tricks up his sleeve in "The Swindle". Not only do the characters all seem to be swindling each other but Chabrol seems to be trying to swindle us. What should the viewer believe as truth? Is Elizabeth really trying to out con Victor? Is Maurice really trying to con Elizabeth and Victor? Is Victor really trying to trick Elizabeth?
The film has a lot of fun with Victor and Elizabeth's relationship. We can never quite tell what they mean to each other. Is it a father-daughter relationship? Strictly a platonic business relationship? Or are they lovers? Elizabeth sometimes calls Victor "daddy". But is it sarcastic? Victor says he "loves" Elizabeth? But as a daughter, friend or companion? He seems pretty jealous when he sees Elizabeth and Maurice.
Huppert is no stranger to Claude Chabrol. The two have worked on several films. Huppert may be the best muse Chabrol has worked with since he wife, Stephane Audran. Together the two have teamed up on "Comedy of Power", "La Ceremonie", "Madame Bovary" and "Merci pour le Chocolat".
The role is perfect for Huppert. She always has a poker face on. The viewer can never tell what exactly she is thinking. In films such as "Merci pour le Chocolat" the look adds to the film's suspense of whether or not she is really a murderer. Here in "The Swindle" her look adds to the film's more comedic moments.
Michel Serrault is not someone I am terrible familiar with. He was in "Nelly & Monsieur Arnaud", another film about a relationship between a young girl and an older man. But Serrault is able to play both the suave and comedic parts effectively. In the film's opening moments he looks like a cunning con man. As the movie progresses he takes on characteristic often associated with Woody Allen and becomes a wise-cracking, stumbling, hand gesturing fool trying to con his way out of one major problem after another.
"The Swindle" doesn't answer all of its questions. It leaves a lot of plot holes open but what saves the film is the devilish pace Chabrol keeps things moving. The viewer gets caught up in the characters' situations and begins to forget about the under-developed points of the plot. The acting is simply too tasteful not to enjoy. Huppert and Serrault are not to be missed. It is a shame Chabrol never used these two again. And finally everyone just seems to be having too much. It becomes contagious.
Will there be some viewers who complain Chabrol isn't working at the top of his game? Of course! Aren't there always? Certain members of the public have been trying to knock down Chabrol for decades. They tell us with each new film Chabrol has lost his touch. Never will he make masterpieces like "Les Biches (Bad Girls)" and "Le Boucher (The Butcher)". Please, pay no attention to them. "The Swindle" is just about as cynical as other Chabrol films only here he subtly mask the darkness with humor.
"The Swindle" is not one of the great Chabrol films. That has to be admitted. But even if you consider this second-rate Chabrol, this is better than most director's first-rate work. A must for Chabrol fans!
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