In one of the more isolated regions of France, villagers are worried about the growing number of sheep killed by wolves. Then the corpse of a woman is found, covered in blood. Was she a victim of a wolf, a human or a human wolf ? Camille Forestier, a friend of the deceased, becomes ever more involved in the incident's bizarre aftermath...
"L'homme à l'envers" is a member of a whole family of similar Fred Vargas adaptations, but so far it's the only one I've watched. The movie, which was made with obvious care and devotion, is an adaptation of a thriller by the highly successful Fred Vargas. (Contrary to expectations, Vargas is a woman.) Many of her novels deal with the adventures of police commissioner Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg and his loyal band of collaborators, nearly all of whom are as eccentric as their boss. Another recurring character close to Adamsberg is Camille Forestier, a beautiful but complicated woman with whom he has a tormented love affair. Generally speaking the novels shine through their inventiveness, imagination and culture. They also reflect a lively interest in history and myth, often of the grislier kind. However, the plots can be far-fetched, just like the denouements.
Now "L'homme à l'envers" shares these characteristics. The movie can be watched with pleasure, but the motive behind the killings requires a considerable suspension of disbelief. The casting is remarkably adept and the actors do their best, but still, it is doubtful whether characters like these would last long in real life, let alone working for the police. On the other hand the splendid, beautifully filmed landscapes help to establish a strongly atmospheric sense of place.
Part of the intrigue seems to have been inspired by the real-life affair of the "Bête du Gévaudan". Even centuries later this blood-soaked mystery continues to haunt the French collective memory.
"L'homme à l'envers" is a member of a whole family of similar Fred Vargas adaptations, but so far it's the only one I've watched. The movie, which was made with obvious care and devotion, is an adaptation of a thriller by the highly successful Fred Vargas. (Contrary to expectations, Vargas is a woman.) Many of her novels deal with the adventures of police commissioner Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg and his loyal band of collaborators, nearly all of whom are as eccentric as their boss. Another recurring character close to Adamsberg is Camille Forestier, a beautiful but complicated woman with whom he has a tormented love affair. Generally speaking the novels shine through their inventiveness, imagination and culture. They also reflect a lively interest in history and myth, often of the grislier kind. However, the plots can be far-fetched, just like the denouements.
Now "L'homme à l'envers" shares these characteristics. The movie can be watched with pleasure, but the motive behind the killings requires a considerable suspension of disbelief. The casting is remarkably adept and the actors do their best, but still, it is doubtful whether characters like these would last long in real life, let alone working for the police. On the other hand the splendid, beautifully filmed landscapes help to establish a strongly atmospheric sense of place.
Part of the intrigue seems to have been inspired by the real-life affair of the "Bête du Gévaudan". Even centuries later this blood-soaked mystery continues to haunt the French collective memory.
