The Year 2002: 8 Women (Francois Ozon)

Amongst the massive blockbusters, the Academy Award winners, indie gems and international art house hits sat an unusual and totally unique musical/drama/crime caper/comedy/whodunnit, inspired by the studio era 'women pictures', starring the biggest names in French cinema and put together by current l'enfant terrible Francis Ozon; bearing all this in mind, '8 Women' couldn't fail to disappoint. Raquelle of the marvellous Out of the Past - her classic film blog dedicated to the golden age of Hollywood, that in the few years since the blogs launch has amassed a dedicated readership, all eagerly awaiting her next superb post - takes on a film that needs at least 'three viewings' to be fully appreciated and has the distinct pleasure of being the first submission to Counting Down The Zeroes that uses flowers to review a film.

François Ozon’s 8 Women (Huit Femmes) is a superb film blending drama and comedy with murder-mystery and musical numbers. It’s campy in that special way that is so superbly French. The film was originally intended to be a remake of The Women (1939), the George Cukor classic which featured an all-female cast, witty dialogue and a plot full of great catfights, gossip and backstabbing. Although Ozon decided to go with Robert Thomas’ play instead, 8 Women works beautifully as a contemporary French version of the 30’s American classic.

8 Women requires at least three viewings. The first viewing comprises of the audience figuring out the clues to solve the mystery. The patriarch of the family has been stabbed in his sleep and all of the 8 women are suspects. As the film progresses, the sordid details of the character’s lives unfold and the audience doesn’t know who to believe or who to blame and we are left with a satisfying and surprising ending.The second viewing will involve the audience pickin up all those clues that seem to subtle or too obvious the first time around. The third viewing, and consequent viewings thereafter, will be devoted to the the pure enjoyment of the camp, the performances, the musical numbers and the stylistic visuals. Audiences would have enjoyed those things in the first two viewings as well, but the third viewing is the most eye-opening. Any film that begs repeated viewings and gets better with each one has the potential to become an instant classic and 8 Women is no exception.

The opening title sequence of 8 Women pays homage to The Women (1939). In the original film, each actress is introduced with the animal (female of course) that she most represented. In 8 Women, each actress is introduced by a flower which closely resembles the character’s personalities.

Danielle Darrieux – Mamy – Pansy

The wheel-chair bound grandmother, Mamy, is in her advanced years but tough as nails when it comes to protecting her own interests. She’s like the pansy, with its delicate flower which contrasts with its ability to thrive even in the most dire of environments.

Catherine Deneuve – Gaby – Orange Orchid

Gaby, the beautiful but aging mother who keeps up appearances to hide the sadness and longing within. She’s like an orange Orchid which is a bit too showy in appearance with a flower that looks strong, but a plant that can easily succumb to its surroundings.

Isabelle Huppert – Augustine - Seed Pod

Augustine is the neurotic sister who is at war with everyone in her life. She’s like the tightly closed seed pod, which opens up to reveal treasures inside. We see Augustine go from frigid to a blossoming beauty.

Emmanuelle Beart – Louise – White Orchid

Louise is the new maid, whose vivacity, youthfulness and sexuality threaten everything that her mistress Gaby represents. The white orchid is beautiful in its simplicity, unlike the orange orchid with nature painted with precision.

Fanny Ardant – Pierette – Red Rose

Pierette, the sister, a wild sexual being whose personality illicits various strong responses from the other women. She’s like the red rose, flush with color and not afraid to stand out, but others must watch out for the thorns.

Virginie Ledoyen – Suzon – Pink and White Rose

Suzon is the oldest daughter coming into womanhood, leaving behind the purity and innocence that has kept her safe for so long. She’s like a white rose, opening its petals and blushing with the pink of first experiences.

Ludivine Sagnier – Catherine – Daisy

Catherine is the youngest daughter, still too naïve and idealistic to fully comprehend the harsh realities which are being revealed to her even though she tries to tackle them anyways. Her innocence is like that of a fresh white daisy.

Firmine Richard – Madame Chanel - Sunflower

Chanel is the housekeeper and cook who provides love and affection to all of the characters and she’s the most firmly rooted in reality. She’s like the sunflower, big and round, whose beauty is at its apex when its fruitfully bursting with seeds.