THE PAGE TURNER
A clever, well-acted & tingling revenge thriller
by Vishal Verma

Brought to Indian theatres (Mumbai & Banglore) by NDTV Lumière, it’s a Diaphana Films presentation of a Diaphana Films production, in association with France 3 Cinema, Les Films a Un Dollar production, with participation of Canal Plus, CineCinema. (International sales: Films Distribution, Paris.) Produced by Michel Saint-Jean. Executive producer, Tom Dercourt. Directed by Denis Dercourt. Screenplay, Dercourt, Jacques Sotty.
 
Starring
Ariane Fouchècourt - Catherine Frot.
Mélanie - Deborah Francois.

With Fascal Greggory, Clotilde Mollet, Xavier de Guillebon, Christine Citti, Jacques Bonnaffe, Antoine Martynciow, Julie Richalet, Martine Chevallier & Andre Marcon.

Technical Analysis
This elegant & well executed Claude Chabrol-like psychological thriller directed by Denis Dercourt ("My Children Are Different") not only defines a new sense to the well-traveled road of the revenge mystery, it also ensures that there are still unexpected twists to be found on the already traveled road.

This clever thriller which certainly knows its Chabrol and its music, stands out as a well-acted & a tingling revenge film where Dercourt (himself an accomplished musician and teacher at the Strasbourg Region National Conservatory) proves that vengeance can be far more refined than those we have already seen in Fatal Attraction, The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, Poison Ivy, Single White Female or any of the other films where a mysterious woman slyly insinuates herself into the trust of others before going all out to ruin them. Here the business of revenge is as measured and well-tempered as a piano score.

Never before has the manipulative-woman-turns-nasty movie been elevated out of its natural B-grade home by such elegance, restraint and subtle surprise.

The movie has superb performances from its main leads where Catherine Frot portray of Ariane's arrogance and insecurity is perfectly done but Déborah François, fresh from her debut as the mother in the Dardenne brothers' L'Enfant (2005) steals the show by her meticulously played portray of  Mélanie with her quiet self-assurance and half-smiles. An extraordinarily contained performance whose very inscrutability engenders and embodies much of the film's suspense.

The Story
Even after having the repeated premise of revenge and vengeance, this stylishly assured film is about a small-town butcher's daughter, , aged about ten, seems to have a special gift for the piano. She takes the Conservatory entrance exam, but fails after being distracted by the thoughtless behaviour of the chairwoman of the jury, a well known concert pianist.

Bitterly disappointed, Mélanie gives up the piano. Some ten years later, while working as an intern with a law firm, Mélanie meets Monsieur Fouchécourt, the husband of the woman who changed her life without a doubt. Mélanie's efficiency and devotion are quickly noticed and Monsieur Fouchécourt recruits her into his home to look after his son. Madame Fouchécourt soon warms to Mélanie when her musical sensitivity comes out, and the young woman becomes her page turner...

Promotion
The movie had had its share of appreciation abroad and had done rounds of the fest.

The Page Turner was the official selection for the Un Certain Regard section of the 2006 Festival de Cannes and was nominated at the 2007 César Awards for Best Actress, Best Music Written for a Film and for The Most Promising Debutante Actress. The movie was also nominated at the 2007 World Soundtrack Award for Discovery of the Year.

Indian niche and festive audience definitely have a innovative thriller at their nearest multiplex.

Verdict
This vengeance has the nuances of Hitchcock and the harmony of Chabrol with a score to hit the chord of niche audiences. Highly recommended. 

Other credits
Camera (color), Jerome Peyrebrune; Editor, Francois Gedigier; Music, Jacques Lemonnier; Art Director-Costume Designer, Antoine Platteau; Sound (Dolby SRD/DTS Digital), Olivier Mauvezin, Benoit Hillebrant; Assistant Director, Rafaele Ravinet-Virbel; Casting, Brigitte Moidon. Reviewed at Famous Studios preview theatre, Mumbai, Tuesday, 18 November 2008. Running time: 85 Min. Media Awareness: NDTV Lumière – In House Pr Dept.

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