Poulet au vinaigre (1985)
Directed by Claude Chabrol

Film Review

On its release in 1985, Poulet au vinaigre was hailed by the critics as a return to form for its director, Claude Chabrol.  The man who is now reckoned to be France's answer to Alfred Hitchcock had lost his way somewhat during the previous decade and was considered by many to be past his best.  This film marked the beginning of one of Chabrol's most successful collaborations, with producer Marin Karmitz.  With Karmitz's moral and financial support, Chabrol would soon regain his popularity and his esteem, delivering some of his best work in what would be the glorious twilight of his career.   

Poulet au vinaigre is, in many respects, classic Chabrol.  We have the pretty provincial town setting, an ensemble of creepy individuals who each has a dark secret, some horrific deaths and the usual tongue-in-cheek assault on the bourgeoisie.  To this tantalising potion of eerie intrigue and general all round nastiness, Chabrol adds another choice ingredient, in the form of Inspector Lavardin.  Hence the quirky title: cop served in vinegar.

Lavardin proves to be a law unto himself and is one of the most fascinating characters in Chabrol's oeuvre, made all the more interesting by Jean Poiret's magnificent interpretation of the role.  At the time, French cinema generally portrayed police inspectors either as impeccable crime investigators or as hard men who abused their position for their own immoral gain.  Lavardin is quite different - he is neither a hero nor a villain, but a truly amoral character who will use any means, however unlawful, in his dogged search to get at the truth.  Once the case is solved, he then assumes the mantle of judge, deciding who should be punished and who should go free.  Lavardin sees himself as an avenging angel, dispensing his own notion of justice, confident that no one will dare challenge his authority and bring him to account.  So successful was the character that he would make a return visit in a subsequent Claude Chabrol film - imaginatively titled Inspector Lavardin (1986) - and then in a short series of television films.

Poulet vinaigre may not be Claude Chabrol's most inspired film, but fans of the director's previous thrillers were glad to see him return to the genre for which he is clearly best suited.  The plot is typical série noire trash, but Chabrol makes it plausible and interesting by carefully weaving together the multiple storylines and making good use of an effective cast. Mathieu Chabrol's unsettling score imbues a sense of menace in just about every frame, constantly hinting at the dangerous undercurrents that lie just beneath the surface.  The performances are excellent - not just from the aforementioned Jean Poiret but also Stéphane Audran and Lucas Belvaux.  There is also a healthy dose of Chabrol's dark humour (which veers towards the distinctly macabre in some places), although this is probably an acquired taste...

Film Synopsis

In a small French town, three prominent men - the butcher Filiol, lawyer Lavoisier and doctor Morasseau - have formed a property development consortium.  Their intention is to buy and demolish an old house belonging to Madame Cuno, but she refuses to sell and so they begin a campaign of intimidation and persuasion.  Madame Cuno, an invalid, lives alone with her son, Louis, who is the town's postman.  Fed up of being harassed by their neighbours, the Cunos decide to go on the offensive, but things take a dramatic turn when one of Louis's pranks results in Filiol's accidental death.  Whilst this is happening, two young women mysteriously disappear.  One, Morasseau's wife, is found burned beyond recognition in a crashed car.  Inspector Lavardin appears on the scene to investigate these strange goings on and uncovers more than he bargained for...