La Cérémonie Criterion Blu-ray Review
“La Cérémonie” is among Claude Chabrol’s best films.
Based on the novel “A Judgement In Stone” by Ruth Rendell, 1995’s “La Cérémonie” is an intentionally slow-burn crime thriller about a housekeeper (Sophie) who accepts a new job working at a lavish remote home for a snooty rich family comprised of Catherine (who runs an art gallery), Georges (her businessman husband), Catherine’s son from a previous marriage (Gilles) and Georges’ daughter from a previous marriage Melinda (who is often away at college).
Sophie is a quiet, illiterate woman who enjoys watching TV and eating chocolate. She hides her illiteracy from the family, but she may or may not be able to keep that a secret for long. She also has a dark past which is revealed later on in the film. Sophie befriends a local broke postal clerk (Jeanne) who is both talkative and nosy. She rubs some people the wrong way including Georges who cannot stand her. Much like Sophie, Jeanne too has a dark past. Jeanne’s sometimes wild behavior begins to rub off on Sophie (no spoilers as to how).
Sophie’s housekeeping job starts off well, but things begin to sour with her employers to the point where matters take a decidedly dark turn.
Directed by Claude Chabrol and written by Claude Chabrol and Caroline Eliacheff, “La Cérémonie” is an impactful thriller about the class system (much like 2019’s “Parasite”). Chabrol carefully builds up the story, develops the characters, and essentially isolates the viewers with these characters inside the family’s home in an almost voyeuristic and immersive way. Even though this is essentially Sophie’s story, you’re seeing both sides of the story as it were.
Tonally, Chabrol has a way of creating an uneasy feeling from the get-go even though you aren’t sure why initially. That feeling never goes away all the way until the ending (again, no spoilers).
Some people may be put off by the slow-burn approach, but, to me, it’s why this movie works so well. It rewards the patient viewers by giving us a full psychological tale of Sophie’s journey. You see the cracks form within her until she breaks which makes the movie all the more unnerving.
Cast wise, Sandrine Bonnaire gives an understated and deeply effective performance as Sophie. Isabelle Huppert has the showier role here as Jeanne and the veteran actress knocks it out of the park as per usual. Jacqueline Bisset (Catherine), Jean-Pierre Cassel (Georges) and Virginie Ledoyen (Melinda) are also quite memorable here. Everyone plays off each other exceedingly well.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.66:1 1080p. How does it look? The 4K digital restoration maintains the grain but offers up rich colors. You can’t ask for anything more than that.
Audio Track: French 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Expect a nice clean track.
Extras:
* A booklet with credits, photos and an essay by Sarah Weinman.
* An intro by director Bong Joon Ho.
* Trailer
* 5 scenes with commentary by Claude Chabrol.
* “Offscreen Sound In La Cérémonie”- An episode of the Criterion Channel series “Observations On Film Art” about the use of sound in the film.
* An interview with co-writer Caroline Eliacheff who talks about true crime.
* A 2020 interview with actress Sandrine Bonnaire who talks about Sophie and Claude Chabrol.
* Isabelle Huppert And Claude Chabrol: Crossed Portraits”- A 1998 French TV program about the partnership between the actress and director.
* “The Making Of La Cérémonie”- A 1995 behind-the-scenes featurette.
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