The Flower Of Evil

Joel Magny’s “presentation” is more like an elongated critical evaluation of the film, in which he fills in the background and explains much of what may appear confusing. It is an excellent précis of Claude Chabrol’s intentions.

He tells us that The Flower Of Evil (La Fleur du Mal) is the third in a trilogy of upper-middle-class thrillers and is based loosely upon a true case in America when a certain Lizzie Borden was acquitted of murdering her parents. He says it is “not so much about keeping secrets as passing them on.” Also, surprisingly, he calls it Chabrol’s most political film.

The Making Of feature, directed by Patrick Gall, is a longer and better version of what has become a staple of DVD extras, consisting of Behind The Scenes snatches of filmmaking(surprisingly relaxed), interspersed with interviews (delightfully intelligent). Everyone appears to have thoroughly enjoyed their experience of working with Chabrol, who shambles about the set with an unlit pipe clenched between his teeth. Although he worked harder on the script than in the majority of his films, which rely more on improvisation, he tries to keep things on a light note. Having fun seems the best motive for doing what he does, he thinks. He calls The Flower Of Evil “a funny Greek tragedy.”

Well, maybe.