Read User Reviews and Submit your own for Elle

9

zembowerboyNov 12, 2016

Thanks to a typically brilliant performance by Isabelle Huppert (and really, when is she not great), and Paul Verhoeven working at peak power. ELLE takes what could have been a typical rape-revenge thriller and transforms into something elseThanks to a typically brilliant performance by Isabelle Huppert (and really, when is she not great), and Paul Verhoeven working at peak power. ELLE takes what could have been a typical rape-revenge thriller and transforms into something else entirely. Subverting expectations at every moment, taking the story to twisted and twisty, not to mention disturbing, areas I was not expecting. This is a compulsively compelling character study that leaves much to discuss and gets better the more one thinks about it. Layered and unforgettable.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

All this user's reviews

9

foxgroveNov 11, 2016

Isabelle Huppert has never been better than in this wonderfully constructed drama by Paul Verhoeven. Although positioning a rape front and centre, this is no ordinary revenge drama but a well written and directed character driven thrillerIsabelle Huppert has never been better than in this wonderfully constructed drama by Paul Verhoeven. Although positioning a rape front and centre, this is no ordinary revenge drama but a well written and directed character driven thriller that keeps you guessing as to the culprit's identity despite a few red herrings being thrown into the mix. It's fair to say that the film is about 10 minutes too long and for those paying close attention the eventual unmasking of the guilty party comes as no big surprise. Compelling and stylish film making non-the less.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

7

Brent_MarchantNov 24, 2016

A disturbing and twisted yet strangely compelling story of sexual compulsion and antisocial behavior that says as much about the society in which we exist as it does about the characters on the screen. Many of the film's shocking sequencesA disturbing and twisted yet strangely compelling story of sexual compulsion and antisocial behavior that says as much about the society in which we exist as it does about the characters on the screen. Many of the film's shocking sequences are on par with those found in pictures like "A Clockwork Orange" and definitely not for the squeamish nor faint of heart, but its superb lead performance by Isabelle Huppert nevertheless keeps one's eyes glued to the screen, almost no matter what happens. Those easily offended by violence and explicit sexuality would be wise to skip this one, but viewers who appreciate a provocative psychological thriller with a singularly cynical, macabre wit may find this an irresistible guilty pleasure.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

8

sanyrubNov 13, 2017

Absolutely disturbing film that probably won´t go the way you would think at first if you hadn´t heard that much about it. It´s definitely engaging form beginning to end (despite being long, many things happen). Most of the characters if notAbsolutely disturbing film that probably won´t go the way you would think at first if you hadn´t heard that much about it. It´s definitely engaging form beginning to end (despite being long, many things happen). Most of the characters if not all are quite amoral probably in an attempt at reflecting what all of us humans can be. Good and bad. Way more exaggerated than what most people in real life are in my opinion, but that´s not a problem of the film of course. A lot of issues are approached regarding sex most of all, also other types of relationships and mental states. Every actor plays their part successfully and nothing will leave you indifferent. A very strong 8/10 from me for a very daring and out there film.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

2

Benkoko11Feb 23, 2017

Elle has its strengths - Hubbert's fierce lead performance and occasional laugh out loud moments - but its unrealisic plot and strange transgressions are confusing at best and wildly offensive at worst.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

10

ProsmoothNov 13, 2016

Oh boy. Here we go. This one is going to be controversial as hell. This never could have been made in America. For one thing--the heroine isn't likable. For another--her unlikeability isn't shown as a weakness of character. The less you knowOh boy. Here we go. This one is going to be controversial as hell. This never could have been made in America. For one thing--the heroine isn't likable. For another--her unlikeability isn't shown as a weakness of character. The less you know going into this one, the better. One of the best performances of the year by Isabelle Huppert. Great thriller.… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

All this user's reviews

0

AxeTNov 14, 2016

Rating = 2 (Metacritic incompetence)
No wonder they couldn't get it made in English in Hollywood, it's a beyond belief stupid nonsensical obscene silly plotless incoherent indulgent scattered ramble directed by a washed up hack who had aRating = 2 (Metacritic incompetence)
No wonder they couldn't get it made in English in Hollywood, it's a beyond belief stupid nonsensical obscene silly plotless incoherent indulgent scattered ramble directed by a washed up hack who had a couple hits 20-30 years ago and a flash of brilliance in his short lived shock jock cinema and has now proven he never made it out of adolescence with his perverted delight at attempting to disturb with his usual cartoon vision of the world. He tipped his hand beyond recovery (in a sane industry) with the so laughably horrendous "Showgirls" that it became one of those rare movies so terrible it gets notoriety and watched anyway as 'so bad it's good'. This junk blatantly rips off "Jagged Edge" (not just the mask but also the score, cam, cuts), which it would be an understatement to say is about 100 times better than this puke. You've got to be a fool to tolerate this hoax or just a pseudo euro trash film snob who is either dishonest with themselves or has no clue what a good movie is.… Expand

5 of 10 users found this helpful55

All this user's reviews

3

InsomniackerDec 24, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The high ratings from critics is mystifying. This movie's main characters, supposedly bright, accomplished people, act stupidly again and again for the entire length of the story--offering ridiculous justifications for their stupidity. How stupidly? A rape victim doesn't go to the hospital or police to collect her attacker's DNA. In fact, she submits to his attacks twice more! Tough to sit through this one.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

0

underinDec 10, 2016

No way is it a great movie. There's no effort spent on character development; too many useless subplots (why is the thing about the father or for that matter the son there anyways!!!); and too much hype. If you want movies of the genre pleaseNo way is it a great movie. There's no effort spent on character development; too many useless subplots (why is the thing about the father or for that matter the son there anyways!!!); and too much hype. If you want movies of the genre please go see Gone Girl; dont waste your time on this crap.… Expand

4 of 9 users found this helpful45

All this user's reviews

3

RyanNanniDec 23, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Look, I'm not even going to engage the question of whether this movie is essentially misogynist or not. I'm going to take the film at face value. Because I actually enjoyed the first third of the movie immensely. Isabelle Huppert's performance is fantastic and compelling, the concept of a woman dealing with a violent rape by sitting back and methodically preparing to take her revenge, and the way she treads through the male world she lives in are all compelling ideas!

But the story is a train wreck! And not in an enjoyable way!

The first engine of the movie is Elle's mission to track down her rapist. Very compelling.

Then we get this backstory that her father was a mass murderer. Also interesting enough to keep me watching. But not tied in to the rest of the movie in anyway whatsoever. It almost seems random.

And then some very boring subplots about her whiney son and his obnoxious girlfriend, and some casual relationships with the other people in her life. No tension driving those subplots.

And then! *spoiler alert*

She discovers her rapist, it's the neighbor she has a crush on! Wow, interesting! The person she's been trying to track down this whole time! But then, she seemingly doesn't care at all! She lets him go, gets into a random car rack which he saves her from for some bizarre reason, she continues to hang out with him, he rapes her again but it's bizarre because the movie plays this like it's a bad thing but she also wants it maybe? Not clear. And then he tries to rape her again in the end which is totally undramatic at this point because she's totally given up on trying to stop him from raping her.

The last third of the movie lacks tension or any compelling conflict at all. This could've been a good movie. :(… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

All this user's reviews

1

leobrodskyJan 10, 2017

This is the wonderful movie for brainless liberals. This is the real degradation of French movie making.
I am not surprised the Hollywood chose this movie as the best foreign film. What can we expect from Streep and Co? I spent $25 for twoThis is the wonderful movie for brainless liberals. This is the real degradation of French movie making.
I am not surprised the Hollywood chose this movie as the best foreign film. What can we expect from Streep and Co? I spent $25 for two tickets and will regret for the rest of my life that I didn't buy instead the bottle of Russian vodka.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

7

BHBarryDec 28, 2016

“Elle” is a French film based on the novel “Oh…” written by Philippe Dijan (“Betty Blue”) with a screenplay by David Birke. Directed by Paul Verhoeven the movie stars Isabelle Huppert, Charles Berling and Laurent Lafitte in this tale of a“Elle” is a French film based on the novel “Oh…” written by Philippe Dijan (“Betty Blue”) with a screenplay by David Birke. Directed by Paul Verhoeven the movie stars Isabelle Huppert, Charles Berling and Laurent Lafitte in this tale of a woman who is raped and how she copes with the incident. The rape scenes are brutal in their violence and makes the viewing of the film an uneasy experience. What is more uneasy is the mind of the viewer as he or she recalls and tries to understand the theatrical presentation they have just seen for the story is complicated and made even more so by the subtitles. I am sure a French viewer would find the film easier to understand than his or her English-speaking counterpart. All that being said, this film is filled with suspense and mystery and, more than anything else, is a tribute and testament to the talents of Ms. Huppert. Her unbelievable ability to communicate and exude various degrees of emotions and sex appeal without ever uttering a word speaks volumes to her amazing acting ability. I give a 7.5 with a warning for the squeamish viewer to beware.… Expand