ridiculous rating

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

In 1940s, due to the widespread commercial as well critical success of his thriller films, the undisputed master of French cinema, Henri Georges Clouzot was dubbed "The Gallic Hitchcock" by Anglophone press. However, after his demise, this title was not transferred to any other French director for a long time as nobody had the ability to come closer to the cinematographic vision which Clouzot shared with Hitchcock. By directing "Monsieur Hire", an ambitiously intelligent thriller based on "Les Fiançailles De Monsieur Hire" written by Belgian thriller writer Georges Simenon, Patrice Leconte showed true signs of being considered for this coveted title. "Monsieur Hire" was Leconte's first foray into the world of suspense thriller as his earlier films were all comedies meant to tickle viewers' funny bones in France. One still remembers with avid interest "Les Bronzés" which continues to make French cinema audiences laugh out loud at their own idiosyncrasies. Monsieur Hire is a superb study in alienation where voyeurism makes its presence felt at regular intervals. At this juncture, it needs to be mentioned that in no way does voyeurism preempt the film's main theme which concerns the price one pays for unrequited love. The character of "Monsieur Hire" undergoes numerous changes as in the past it was depicted in a completely different manner to suit tastes of a bygone era. This is one reason why there is a huge difference between a bearded "Monsieur Hire" as portrayed by one of French cinema's greatest actors-Michel Simon in "Panique" (1946) directed by Julien Duvivier as opposed to a bald "Monsieur Hire" as represented by Michel Blanc in this film.

This movie was first of all beautifully filmed and perfectly cast. The sound track was absolutely perfect.A voyeur gets too involved with his favorite subject which leads to his demise.M. Hire (Michel Blanc) is just too perfect in the role--a pudgy bald loner tailor who kills pet rats in a sacrificial way---the last detail makes it impossible to like him without reservation. The only thing missing is coke bottle glasses.The story is believable---you just cannot imagine the girl going for him under any circumstances--he is just too creepy--yet you find yourself accepting that as a resolution.A sleeper---the kind of gems you find by accident on Netflix streaming (they don't carry the movies in demand). CAUTION: It is not a movie I would watch twice-animal cruelty even to rats is something I really can't tolerate yes it exists I don't want to be "entertained" with it. Plus Michel Blanc is good but once is plenty.A ONE TIME WATCH

Monsieur Hire (1989)A simple movie with the protagonist and the viewer both made to be voyeurs. There is some pathos to the lonely man with some secret talents (like bowling) and some unbridled and unelaborated interests (staring at a woman through her open blinds as she dresses).But the movie suggests some true stupidity and/or willingness on the woman's part. She does not seem to be an exhibitionist, and yet she leaves herself exposed. At one point she is shocked to see the man watching. But then she gets involved with him. A boyfriend has a separate intrigue at work which complicates matters, and this isn't very well developed. And finally there is tragedy, and a kind of lyrical/awkward final scene.Director Patrice Leconte has a curiously unsensational way of treating some of these very private subjects. You want to like his films very much. They have small casts and try to deal with psychology instead of just sensation and plot. A better entry into his style might be "Intimate Strangers" from 2004, also starring Sandrine Bonnaire.You can like the intentions here, and like the mood, and maybe forgive yourself for watching the man watch the woman (that is, watch the woman yourself), but it drags as if this is enough. And it's not. And if you're looking for salacious, don't get the wrong idea. It's pretty clean voyeurism. Disappointing.

Monsieur HireFor a man who likes great cinematography, nice colors and a pretty female face, this film offers all of the above for me.Director Patrice Leconte usually makes stylish movies and this is no exception. It's beautiful to view. So is Sandrine Bonnaire, the leading lady. I'll have to see what other films have her in them. There are numerous closeups of her in this movie. This French effort doesn't show much "skin," yet the film has an erotic appeal. That tells you something.Michel Blanc, the male lead, plays a strange character but he's fascinating to watch, too. To be honest, the film has its slow moments but it is mesmerizing at times, too. The story is interesting overall and aided by two surprise twists at the end.I am perplexed and frustrated over why this film is not available on DVD on which this great photography could really be shown off.