Les Diaboliques

Binding elements of horror and thriller films, Les Diaboliques is a visually striking momento of the 1950s era. The movie was based on the novel Celle qui n'etait plus (She Who Was No More), written by the Boileau-Narcejac duo, creative masters of written suspense. The story was artfully translated into film form by Henri-Georges Clouzot, who has also directed The Murderer Lives at Number 21, Le Corbeau (The Raven) and The Wages of Fear, all of which I have yet to see. Cinematographical mastery of this film is complemented by the fact it was shot in black and white, which seems to help it strike an even deeper and darker chord. Every scene is beautifuly composed, deep shadows and strong contrast dragging the viewer even deeper into the mystery that is presented. Beautiful Simone Signoret and Vera Clouzot, who was Henri-Georges's wife and appeared in two of his other films, are portrayed as the lover and the wife of a man who brings injustice to both. But please remember, dear reader, human nature is fickle and stakes run high whenever money is involved. We are a deceitful species, run by impulses most often unbeknownst to us. The movie draws similarities to 1950s EC comics in its portrayal of deceit and terror, perhaps due to the stylistic trends and culture of the era. Both still serve as strong reminders of how easy it is to diverge from normal behavioral patters. Better yet, they serve as reminders of how terrifying seemingly normal human impulses are. How deliciously easy it is to be evil - until caught in any case..