| FEMME FATALE |
 2002 – USA
Director: Brian De Palma - Reviewed by Vickie
I don't even know where to begin. Well, maybe I do: a special shout-out to the creepy old guy sitting behind me (until I moved) at the theater, who was eating what I can only hope were sunflower seeds and promptly thwaa-too-ing the shells, one by one, into the aisle. Thanks for a memorable pre-movie gross out and, more importantly, for not doing anything worse during the opening scenes of director Brian De Palma's wickedly fierce and wildly clever suspense thriller. Ah yes. The opening scenes. Much-talked-about cinematic moments guaranteed to attract plenty of looky-loos seeking some steamy girl-girl action as the film's leggy heroine, Laure (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), sets out to seduce another stunning beauty right out of her $10 million jewelry during the Cannes Film Festival (appearing as itself). Laure, you see, is a very skilled jewel thief who gets her kicks while she works—be it the aforementioned bathroom romp with another beautiful woman or a pant-inducing lap dance for a burly bloke in a biker bar. But, this time, something goes awry with the plan and Laure's team of none-too-pleasant fellow criminals is more than a little angry that she's partially to blame for the botched job. Thus sets in motion a somewhat complex and completely engrossing story about Laure's flight from street justice, subsequent identity swap and her curious entanglement with an engaging photographer (Antonio Banderas) who's captured some of her antics on film. To explain the twisty, loopy plot would be giving away some of its secrets so, suffice it to say, the film keeps you guessing. De Palma has said in interviews that he wanted to surprise the audience with the direction the story takes, and he's succeeded. Just when you think you know what Laure will do next, or what the repercussions of the plot's latest hairpin turn might be, you're surprised again. I hate seeing suspense films that are completely devoid of suspense, but Femme Fatale is jam-packed with goodies to keep viewers on their toes. It's one of those movies where you leave the theater smiling because it was that much fun to watch. Thanks to a positively kick-ass performance layered with hefty doses of sensuality, smarts and sass, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos will likely have a very hard time landing any shrinking-violet roles from here on in. Her Laure is a fascinating onscreen presence. It's a meaty, love-it-or-hate-it role that I'm sure many actresses now wish they'd had a chance to play. Antonio Banderas is also very good, proving once again that he can handle drama as well as comedy (witness his character's initial hotel-room meeting with Laure—priceless!). As Nicholas, he provides the film with some degree of morality and, to a greater extent, moments of much-loved levity. In case it's not clear: two big thumbs up from me on a wonderfully executed bit of celluloid that piqued my curiosity, held my interest and delighted my movie-loving heart with its über-cool story, daring lead actress and overall sense of entertainment. |
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