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The Page Turner

Written by Nobuhiro Hosoki

 

"The Page Turner" is a French psychological thriller that succeeds in capturing the schematic requirements of its genre.  Melanie (Julie Richalet), a young diligent piano player, the only child of a butcher(Jacques Bonaffe) and his wife (Christine Citti), is anxious about her audition for a scholarship to the Paris Conservatory. While she gives her all at her performance, one of the judges, Ariane (Catherine Frot), a renowned concert pianist, distracts her by letting a pesky autograph-seeking fan into the room. This incident causes Melanie to lose concentration and she finishes her piece badly.  Her childhood chances at a future career are totally ruined.

Ten years later, a more mature and reserved but still poised Melanie(Deborah Francois) continues to wrestle with this childhood trauma. She lands an internship at a prestigious law firm under Jean (Pascal Greggory), ahot-shot attorney who is married to the same woman pianist who earlier destroyed her chances. When he needs someone to look after his 12 year old son, she volunteers her services at their lavish country estate. But to her surprise, Ariane's talents have diminished after an automobile accident. Suffering anxiety and stage fight, she is now a broken woman in a loveless marriage.

Melanie not only cooks and cares for the kids--she attempts all kind of chores, and even the highly strung Ariane takes a shine to this rather obedient assistant. She decides to give Melanie a job as a page turner for the concert that will be a preparation for her comeback. On the surface, Melanie has achieved some kind of closure with her past, or has she? Director Denis Dercourt, himself as a professional viola player,  brings a detailed and certain authenticity to this rather slow-paced psychological drama. He has elegantly constructed the plot, and relies on the performances of two formidable actresses.

This is a sensational performance for Deborah, who keeps her mask behind a steely mind--forceful but unsettled--which makes her character incredibly terrifying. In the end, the question is whether or not to sink yourself into the same level of selfishness of the troublemakers. Can women be this cruel?

Directed by Denis Dercourt
Written (in French, with English subtitles) by Mr. Dercourt and Jacques Sotty
Director of photography: Jèrome Peyrebrune
Edited by François Gèdigier
Music by Jèrome Lemonnier
Produced by Michel Saint-Jean
Released by Tartan Films.
Running time: 85 minutes.

Cast: Catherine Frot (Ariane Fouchècourt)
Dèborah François (Mèlanie Prouvost)
Pascal Greggory (Monsieur Fouchècourt)
Clotilde Mollet (Virginie)
Julie Richalet (Mèlanie as a child)
Xavier de Guillebon (Laurent),
and Christine Citti (Madame Prouvost).