← Back to Reviews
in
That's the advice that Doctor Génessier (Pierre Brasseur) gives to his disfigured daughter, Christiane (Édith Scob); an advice that could be borne out of medical concern due to potential strains on her facial transplant, but that can also serve as foreshadowing of what her life is destined to be: one where complete happiness seems to be out of reach. That is part of the backdrop of this great French film that moves seamlessly between horror and thriller.
Eyes Without a Face follows the above Dr. Génessier, whose daughter has been disfigured in a car accident. In his effort to restore her face, he resorts to all sort of terrible things to achieve his goal. But even if he succeeds, you get the notion that Christiane's happiness and well being are not his main focus. Génessier seems to be more driven by scientific ambition and perhaps something more psychologically troubling.
This is one of those films that is often mentioned among lists of great films, and I'm so happy I finally got around to it. Director Georges Franju starts us more or less "in the middle" of things, but he still has the patience to hold his reveals until the most precise moments, while maintaining a constant atmosphere of dread. The way he and his loyal assistant Louise (Alida Valli) prey on potential victims is effective and doesn't really let a lot of space for smiling.
Valli has, I think, the best performance from the group as we can see her struggle between her loyalties to Génessier, but also an apparent genuine desire to help Christiane. Much like the latter, she hasn't had much chance to smile as she seems to be trapped between those two sides. In the end, there seems to be true retribution and a chance for some to be free; maybe even smile... but not too much.
Grade:
EYES WITHOUT A FACE
(1960, Franju)
A film from the TSPDT 1,000 Greatest Films list whose ranking includes the #11 (#311)
(1960, Franju)
A film from the TSPDT 1,000 Greatest Films list whose ranking includes the #11 (#311)
"Smile... Smile... Not too much."
That's the advice that Doctor Génessier (Pierre Brasseur) gives to his disfigured daughter, Christiane (Édith Scob); an advice that could be borne out of medical concern due to potential strains on her facial transplant, but that can also serve as foreshadowing of what her life is destined to be: one where complete happiness seems to be out of reach. That is part of the backdrop of this great French film that moves seamlessly between horror and thriller.
Eyes Without a Face follows the above Dr. Génessier, whose daughter has been disfigured in a car accident. In his effort to restore her face, he resorts to all sort of terrible things to achieve his goal. But even if he succeeds, you get the notion that Christiane's happiness and well being are not his main focus. Génessier seems to be more driven by scientific ambition and perhaps something more psychologically troubling.
This is one of those films that is often mentioned among lists of great films, and I'm so happy I finally got around to it. Director Georges Franju starts us more or less "in the middle" of things, but he still has the patience to hold his reveals until the most precise moments, while maintaining a constant atmosphere of dread. The way he and his loyal assistant Louise (Alida Valli) prey on potential victims is effective and doesn't really let a lot of space for smiling.
Valli has, I think, the best performance from the group as we can see her struggle between her loyalties to Génessier, but also an apparent genuine desire to help Christiane. Much like the latter, she hasn't had much chance to smile as she seems to be trapped between those two sides. In the end, there seems to be true retribution and a chance for some to be free; maybe even smile... but not too much.
Grade: