Murderous Maids (2002)
Film:
DVD:

Written by Jean-Pierre Denis & Michèle Pétin, based on the novel L'affaire Papin by Paulette Houdyer
Directed by Jean-Pierre Denis
Starring Sylvie Testud, Julie-Marie Parmentier, Isabelle Renauld, François Levantal, Dominique Labourier

Features:

• Interviews with actress Testud and director Denis
  
• French and American theatrical trailers
  
• Trailer for The Maids
  
• Janet Flanner article on the actual events from Vanity Fair, 1933
  

Released by Home Vision
Rating: NR
Region: 1
Anamorphic: Yes.

My Advice: Rent it.

In 1933, two sisters, Christine and Léa, found themselves forced into servitude to support their mother. The good news is after serving as a maid for so long, Christine (Testud) does finally find a position in which both she and her younger sister (Parmentier), can at least be together. In the midst of social oppressions, financial difficulties and lustful men, at least they have each other. However, possible mental difficulties within Christine make her increasingly desperate to maintain order and control--necessary when keeping a house clean and tidy. When she exhibits control over her younger sister and the two develop into lovers, it's this transgression that comes to light and forces Christine's hand. Her employers were brutally, viciously murdered after threatening to expose the sister's incestous relationship.

Well, it's not spoilers if it's known history, folks. This is apparently a story that has been burned into the French psyche and has been rolled around and pondered and hmmmed at--and probably will continue to be for some time. It's been dealt with in studies and articles and plays and, of course, films. The first encounter I had personally with this tale was the 1994 film Sister My Sister, directed by Nancy Meckler, which seemed to balance the events with a need to envision the eroticism of the incest. A fair film, but not terribly impressive, I thought. With Denis' film, however, a step back is taken to show a fuller story of the sisters' origin, and more of a slant is given towards Christine's possible madness.

Indeed, even the incest seems completely without a trace of eroticism. It's pitiable to see the two young women in their room trying to find the only source of affection they can in each other. It's not titillating at all, and I think that's one of three good reasons why the film works. The film feels like a definite probe into what the hell happened up in that room and what would drive two young women to commit acts of--well, barbarity...there's no other word for it. Here we get a complete portrait.

The other two reasons the film works are the main actresses. Testud is remarkable, bringing depth to a performance that could have easily have gone quite the opposite direction. Parmentier is quite apt as well, but for entirely different reasons. She's playing a part that basically exists to be molded and turned by Testud's character, and she allows things to happen appropriately. Let's face it--without these two being solid, the whole thing falls apart.

As far as extras go, the interviews are basic--both Testud and Denis offer some good insight into their work, but nothing earth shattering. You also have the trailers and--an odd edition--the trailer for The Maids, which paints its film in such amazing pathos that I would fear to walk away from a screening of the feature film intact. Also of note for posterity is a reprint of the article from Vanity Fair that discussed the actual events from the film--good reading to establish some extra background: this may be all common knowledge in France, but chances are most people on this side of the pond have never heard of the case.

The quality of the film and the performances carry this release. Even if the end result of the crime makes it sound like not your bag, it's the buildup and the backstory that are key here--and that's why the film succeeds. Worth at least a rental.