Pulp fictioner Jim Thompson's 1964 novel Pop. 1280 gets a very witty rendering courtesy of 'Round Midnight helmer Bertrand Tavernier, who transfers Thompson's deep American South amorality tale to 1930s West Africa. French cinema staple Philippe Noiret plays Lucien Cordier, a not-as-dumb-as-he-seems magistrate stuck working a one chicken town, who conspires to rid himself of many of life's inconveniences, which just happen to include several of the townsfolk. A deftly executed and frequently shocking black comedy with "pitch-perfect" dramedic perfs by Noiret, the luminous Isabelle Huppert (who has always had great comic timing), and loose cannon Stéphane Audran, as Lucien's adulterous wife Huguette, this darkly entertaining 1981 film is well recommended. (S. C. Sickles)
Coup de Torchon
Criterion, 128 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, $29.95 Vol. 16, Issue 3
Coup de Torchon
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