La Truite (1982)
Directed by Joseph Losey

Film Review

It is hard to decide what to like least about this film - its lack of conviction in the plot and characterisation, the anaemic pace which is rendered painful by some inexplicably complex editing, or just the sheer lack of talent which is exhibited on either side of the camera.  None of the characters in the film is credible. which accounts for the lacklustre performances from the entire cast (without exception).  How could a film which stars three of French cinema's finest actors (Huppert, Moreau and Cassel) be so dire?  The film's one saving grace is Henri Alekan's stunning and atmospheric location photography which provides a poignant echo of Losey's earlier successes.

Film Synopsis

Frédérique is an introspective young woman who works on her parents' trout farm deep in the Jura region of France.  Whilst she is in Paris with her husband Galuchat she becomes acquainted with two businessmen, Rambert and Saint-Genis, who find her apparent innocence strangely alluring.  Although he already has a girlfriend, Saint-Genis insists that Frédérique be his companion on a business trip to the Far East.  Galuchat makes a show of protest but he knows he has no control over his wife since their relationship is of a somewhat ambiguous nature owing to his homosexual tendencies.  Frédérique gladly accepts her admirer's invitation and they are soon on their way to Tokyo.

Saint-Genis is the latest man to succumb to Frédérique's perverse game of seduction, where the calculating young woman takes what she wants and gives as little as she can in return.  After receiving a message notifying her that her husband has attempted suicide, Frédérique returns to Paris and is greeted by Rambert, who wastes no time trying to get her into bed.  The enigmatic young woman rejects Rambert, just as his whole world falls apart.  Ruined by Saint-Genis, he ends ups in a psychiatric clinic after killing his wife.  Frédérique joins her husband for a new life in Japan and receives an offer to manage one of the country's largest trout farms...