Elle Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Elle Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 16, 2017

Paul Verhoeven is a filmmaker who thrives on the fringes and flourishes in the extremes. But he's also a filmmaker who, often, has something to say by way of his excesses. Social commentary abounds in his ultra-violent works RoboCop and Starship Troopers. His sexy Thriller Basic Instinct captivated audiences with complex characterizations beyond its infamous, frenzied sexual escapades. His latest, the French language film Elle, may not stand as his masterpiece -- that distinction remains with RoboCop -- but it's a picture that, with the action of rape, blends both the sex and violence for which he's known while crafting around it a seriously complex bit of provocative and thought-provoking cinema, a quality character exploration that's bleak and complex and certainly not at all clear-cut in terms of what, exactly, it has to say. The film is wide open for interpretation, supported by a terrific lead performance in what may be remembered as Verhoeven's most thoughtful film, one that sees the filmmaker embracing, but toning down, his almost comical excesses in favor of something much darker, both outwardly and inwardly alike.

Michèle Leblanc (Isabelle Huppert) is a middle-aged video game company executive whose distinct vision for the product clashes with several of her younger employees. Nevertheless, she's assertive at work and knows what she wants from the company's latest demonic game. She's the daughter of a convicted murderer and a surgery-obsessed mother who is dating a younger man. She's mother to a son whom she believes is seeing the wrong girl. She herself is seeing a married man named Robert (Christian Berkel) and finds herself drawn to her neighbor, Patrick (Laurent Lafitte). One day, she is violently raped at home. She picks up the pieces -- literally and figuratively -- rather quickly. Soon, she's drawn into a dark world of fear and fantasy that could have deadly repercussions for herself or those closest to her.

Elle proves both overtly and subtly disturbing: overt in its rape scenes, subtle in its character's response. It's in those subtleties where the film finds its purpose. Verhoeven and Screenwriter David Birke, working from Philippe Djian's book Oh..., craft an intense psychological study of a character living in turmoil, a disturbed life, and disapproving of those closest to her. She despises her imprisoned father. She finds fault in her mother's excesses and relationship with a younger man. She's displeased with her son's direction and relationship. At work, she heads development of violent video games she demands be tuned to provide the most carnal of player responses. She takes heat and returns it many times over. She's lascivious, experimental, candid in both the bed and the board room, unafraid of asserting herself, even in her vulnerabilities. The rape has a strange effect on her. She almost seems to take it in stride. She doesn't call the police, for reasons which the film explores in some detail, over time. Her response to the rape gradually evolves, particularly as she learns some of the secrets behind it. And it's that evolution of response where the film finds it strength. It's often upsetting, but it's often fascinating. It's a deeper, more sinister bit pf psychology that studies human response not as conditioned, but under conditions. It's dark, complex, and unforgiving. It's Paul Verhoeven right at home.

But the film would be substantially less without the magnificent lead performance from Isabelle Huppert. She gives the movie a certain edge, ebb, and even-keeled sense of personal revelation and discovery. She explores the character thoroughly, yet her work, combined with the script and Verhoeven's tight, intimate direction which leaves Huppert plenty of room to work and shine, maintains an aura of not so much pure mystery, but certainly a certain haze around the character. Verhoeven shoots the movie softly, without an abundance of rich and punchy colors, giving it an almost eerie, dreamlike quality. Huppert seems at once confident and vulnerable, capable of coming to terms with what's happened, and rather quickly, but at the same time holding a lingering fear. She's confident around her friends and co-workers but shows a vulnerable side, too. After the rape, she buys pepper spray and a small hatchet and, later, learns to shoot a gun. The character is almost cryptic, particularly as certain revelations come to light and the character evolves in a somewhat unexpected way. The film, and with the confident yet open performance, leaves much to the viewer to decide. Nothing beyond the fundamental actions and reactions are easy to define or quantify; the film is a masterwork of character mystery and elegant construction that promises to only become more insightful with time and repeat viewings.

Elle Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Elle was shot digitally, and Verhoeven and Cinematographer Stéphane Fontaine give the movie a rather diffuse, soft, and warm appearance. Colors are frequently tender, never rambunctious or excessively showy but rather delicately supportive and, sometimes in lower light, a little moody. Black levels can push a little soupy in the darkest corners, too, murky and somewhat crushed but never appearing too pale. Source noise is frequent, again in lower light. Details are fine. The image's softer veneer doesn't allow for a seriously in-depth image, but general clothing and skin textures satisfy while environmental and general frame clarity are fine. The image is certainly not one of excess; it's gentle and supportive and in many ways a rather stark contrast to the film's tonally sharp edges but, on the other hand, complimentary of its mystery.

Elle Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Elle's French language DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is sporadically intense but mostly straightforward and front-heavy. The movie is primarily dialogue-driven, and the spoken word plays firmly and naturally from the front-center, always well prioritized above any surrounding elements. Lighter ambience can linger up front or drift into the back, depending on location and intensity. Minor city ambience, for example, sometimes remains largely clustered up front, while restaurant din can be a little more immersive. Chapter seven introduces some gunfire at a shooting range, presenting with a satisfyingly authoritative punch with good pop and burst off to the sides. Gusty winds pound through the stage and shutters slam later in the movie, probably the peak of aggression and full-stage saturation in the film. Music gains momentum in chapter ten, delivering a serious depth and sense of immersion. Clarity is consistent in music and spacing effortless.

Elle Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Elle contains a featurette, a talent interview, and a trailer. No DVD or digital versions are included.

• A Tale of Empowerment: Making Elle (1080p, 7:15): Verhoeven describes the film as his "protest against genre." The piece covers the original story, character complexities, story structure and themes, direction, its space between realistic extremes, and more.
• Celebrating an Icon: AFI's Tribute to Isabelle Huppert (1080p, 36:39): Stephen Galloway interviews the iconic actress about her career path, performance style, past works, work with Paul Verhoeven, and various details surrounding Elle.
• Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:09).
• Previews (1080p): Additional Sony titles.

Elle Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Elle is the best (and only one of a precious few) Verhoeven film in years. It embodies everything the filmmaker is known for, perhaps visually toned down but psychologically turned way up. It's smart, expertly crafted, beautifully performed, and plays with an air of mystery, not so much in a "whodunit" sense, which is a part of the movie, but rather in what it all means and how and why characters respond as they do. It's absorbing, transcends its language barrier for non-French speakers, and proves one of the most primal and captivating films of its year. Sony's Blu-ray is good, offering fair video that seems reflective of filmmaker intent, solid audio, and a couple of good extras. Highly recommended.