Une robe noire pour un tueur
The "black robe" in the title of this suspense film belongs to a female lawyer, Florence Nat who has just lost a case in which she defended Simon Risler, a man wrongly accused of murder. Risler escapes before he can be put in prison, and seeks help from attorney Nat in finding the real killer, partly by going after the police inspector who framed him in the first place. A retired surgeon, in the process of setting up a drug rehab clinic gets involved in solving Risler's case, and soon the solution seems to be pointing to high-ranking figures with every desire and ample means to keep the truth well-hidden.
Insights
Plot Summary
A lawyer defends a corrupt businessman accused of murder. As she delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of deceit and complicity that implicates powerful figures, including those within the legal system itself. The defense becomes increasingly precarious as she risks her career and personal safety to expose the truth.
Critical Reception
Costa-Gavras's political thriller was met with mixed reviews, with some praising its tense atmosphere and Deneuve's performance, while others found its narrative convoluted and its social commentary heavy-handed. It is considered a more conventional thriller within the director's filmography.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its suspenseful portrayal of a legal battle against corruption.
- Catherine Deneuve's performance as the conflicted lawyer was a highlight for many critics.
- Some reviewers found the plot overly complicated and less engaging than Costa-Gavras's previous political films.
Google audience: Audience reception information for this film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film was originally intended to be made in English with an American cast, but Costa-Gavras ultimately decided to shoot it in French with a French cast.
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