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MURDEROUS MAIDS Send This Review to a Friend
"Murderous Maids" ("Les Blessures assassines"), directed by Jean-Pierre Denis, is yet another film based on the strange real tale of the infamous Papin sisters, who in the 1930s, while working as maids, killed their employer and her daughter. In this version, which Denis wrote with Michele Halberstadt, the stress is on the psychological buildup as well as the class angle that has intrigued others. Thus we have a strong basis for understanding, at least in this interpretation, the motivations and personalities that led to the tragic, murderous outburst.
Sylvie Testud and Julie-Marie Parmentier are excellent as Christine and Lea, with Christine the one seething with inner, dangerous anger. The film depicts sexuality between the sisters, and Denis claimed in a conversation I had with him that there is strong basis for going that route. Regardless of what the true story was, the sexual closeness depicted on screen makes sense in view of the tightly-knit relationship we see. The performances by Testud and Parmentier are unforgettable in their emotional entanglement and juxtaposition. On virtually every level "Murderous Maids" is a dramatic knockout, although audiences should be aware that it is strong fare.
The film, which was showcased in New York at the 2001 Rendezvous with French Cinema and is now going into commercial release, is impeccable in its realistic details involving the process of serving as maids and the elements of life shown in the town. Denis stressed the gnawing intensity that builds up to the climactic events and their aftermath. Having seen other versions should not deter you from experiencing this one, which is powerful in its own right and makes the tragic story seem artistically fresh. A Rialto Pictures release.
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