DVD Corner

Don’t Change Hands Blu-ray Review

“Don’t Change Hands” is a strange French film.  

Written by Paul Vecchiali and Noёl Simsolo, 1975’s “Don’t Change Hands” (AKA “Change Pas De Main”) involves a wealthy future Minister (Françoise) hiring a Private Eye (Melinda) to investigate who is trying to blackmail her with footage of her missing son (Alain) appearing in a pornographic film. As Melinda takes on the job, she becomes drawn into a dark world filled with murder, mystery, middle men (and women), a Colonel, pornography, a deeply disturbing revelation about Alain, and more.

Directed by Paul Vecchiali, “Don’t Change Hands” is a bizarre mixture of film noir, soap opera, tragedy, French art film, and pornography. It’s disjointed, convoluted, and tries to be an ambitious adult film with an actual story. Vecchiali deserves props for experimentation, but the result leaves a lot to be desired. The messy story feels more like an excuse for sex and nudity, the drama is often stilted, and the sets are always cheap. The ending is a bit curious and offers one of the few moments of real characterization with Melinda who lost so much with this case, but it’s but a small moment in the grand scheme of things.

Speaking of Melinda, Myriam Mézières shines as the redhead Detective. She drives the narrative and the film is at its best when she is on screen.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.66:1 1080p. How does it look? Scanned in 2K from the original camera negative, this is an overall nice restoration that will please Vecchiali fans.

Audio Track: French Mono. How does it sound? The Mono track offers up a satisfactory audio experience.

Extras:
* Re-release trailer
* 4 separate interviews with author Matthieu Orléan (about Paul Vecchiali), writer Noёl Simsolo, actress Myriam Mézières, and actor Jean-Christophe Bouvet.
* “Le Cinéphile: An Appreciation By “Knife + Heart” Director Yann Gonzalez”- The filmmaker talks about his admiration for Vecchiali.

January 17, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Don't Change Hands Blu-ray Review, French Film, Severin