This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This movie is not a Marvel production and not good for everyone with medium IQ too! specially not for guys who are looking for stupid soft romantic tales or anything sentimental or even porno stuff! Elle is about the complexion of the human soul, one of the best in Paul Verhoeven's masterpiece list. Watch again with open mind and use your brain before bad judging about that brilliant movie.

I did not realise that this was directed by Paul Verhoeven until I had winced my way through it hoping there would be some interesting twist on the psycho-papa storyline.... But no. Yet again Mr Verhoeven goes down the Ladies love rape road, especially powerful ladies. And in the capable Ms Huppert who is a serious French actress don't you know, means you have someone who is willing to perform all kinds of self debasement for the amusement of her director and us! When I got to the end I just sat there thinking "WTF was that all about?" Paul, I believe Rocco Seffredi has stepped down from the rough porn genre so there is an opening for you there. Why not just cut to the chase?

This film can be best described as an examination of the portrayal of rape in the audio-visual medium, and starts it with just that. The protagonist, Elle, a middle-aged lady, head of a video game company, becomes a victim of a brutal attack by a masked man in her own home. She is then seen later on to be actively critiquing the CG animation medieval fantasy rape scenes being made by her company. She barely has time to go to the hospital and went on to get tested for STD instead and not even bothering to report the incident to the police. Deadlines are tight in the office.Spoilers are necessary for people who are being introduced to this film that should be restricted to that introductory scene if only to serve as a forewarning. The film should be considered synonymous with the word rape. Doing so will not dampen the appreciation for this film for that only just barely scrapes the surface. The meaty aspect of this film is in the methods that Elle used in identifying her predator, and that subversiveness in infusing black comedic elements to a very a dark subject. An example of that would be how the rape at the start of the film would be replayed twice and with each iteration of the horrific, horrendous, hideous incident, the humor pervades. It is weirdly amazing and twisted. That's what I consider the Verhoeven genius. My knowledge of French-language films is fairly limited, don't know the language, and I've only seen Huppert on film once before, Ma mere, where she played a character that's not really very flattering, and my ignorance of her stature in French cinema certainly didn't help. But, man, she's gives a tour-de-force performance portraying an embattled lady having to also contend with domestic and workplace problems.It's sublime how the clever script, the musical score, superb cast and the cute black cat named Marty really helped elevate this thriller into becoming a window to the world of a steadfast but flawed lady that still manages to be such a paragon of resilience.My rating: A-flat.

Apparently so controversial that several American actors passed up on the opportunity to play the lead part and Paul Verhoeven had to take his long-awaited return (to form at least) out of the US entirely, this subversive pseudo psycho-sexual thriller represents a rather unique take on the tried and tested rape-revenge genre, moving far away from pure exploitation and instead heading into an enthralling exploration of the taboo desires of slightly sociopathic people. There's nothing really conventional about 'Elle (2017)' and that might be what makes it so compelling, with the absolutely phenomenal screenplay brought to life by equally engaging, rivetingly realistic power-house performances, and the fact that each intriguing new layer just feels so natural despite the brazenly bizarre tone and inconsistent pacing is a testament to the rich character development and world building that makes the piece seem so wholly believable. 7/10