Masques

Philippe Noiret scintillates as a popular game show host, who, beneath an amiable mask, appears to be hiding a more unsavoury nature in Claude Chabrol’s well-crafted mystery thriller.

The world would seem to smile on Christian Legagneur (Noiet), a successful TV presenter with a comfortable life and surrounded by a talented entourage. Christian takes Roland Wolf (Robin Renucci), a crime writer who has been commissioned to pen his biography, to his opulent country manor. However, Roland’s motives aren’t what they seem and it transpires he is in fact investigating the disappearance of his sister, who was a close friend of Christian’s daughter.

As suggested by the title, Chabrol’s film probes into what lies under the surface of the smile; the true face behind the shiny veneer. Inevitably, dark secrets arise and a hitherto unseen perilous side to Legagneur’s character manifests. The revered Noiret (Clean Slate) does ample justice to the challenging role, discreetly merging an endearing nature with simmering menace. His performance is complemented by a strong supporting cast, whose characters are equally deceptive; chasms separating inner and outer appearances. Of note are Bernadette Lafont’s masseuse and Monique Chaumette’s glacial secretary.

The film is beautifully shot by Jean Rabier, who maximizes the potential of the setting, in particular the expansive country house, populated by ornaments but also hidden spaces harbouring secrets.

Chabrol’s tight plotting makes this another delight for the spectator, who is immersed in the mystery. Furthermore, the auteur supplements his recurrent critique of the bourgeoisie with a swipe at television and the faux world of showbiz. After seeing this, you won’t be to help but wonder what those pristine, prime-time presenters get up to when the cameras go off…