I so much want to like Paul Verhoeven films. The promise much in what I want from a film. Good stories told differently, thought provoking plot-lines, interesting characters and, of course, eroticism. Yet, I haven't found any of his films totally convincing. 'Elle' is another that doesn't quite meet it's aims. I think the narrative with multiple plots could have been better told by another director. Isabelle Huppert hold all the stories and the often implausible situations together really well and is outstanding as always but cannot lift the film above average. If not for her lead then the film would have been a 3 or 4 star disaster. Having said that I wonder if the great Miss Huppert is slightly tooold for the role. I think the leading lady is now in her sixties Michele is supposed to be around 50? At times it shows. I wouldn't recommend this film as a must see but would probably recommend it as a dent nights entertainment with good performances and some interesting detail.
Review of Elle
