LA FLEUR DU MAL/ THE FLOWER OF EVIL


France, 2003, 104 minutes, Colour.
Nathalie Baye, Benoit Magimel, Suzanne Flon, Bernard Le Coq, Melanie Doutey, Thomas Chabrol.
Directed by Claude Chabrol.


Celebrated New Wave French director Claude Chabrol, was still making films in his 70s at the beginning of the 21st-century. He made a great impact in the 60s and 70s, crime dramas which were powerfully psychological, commanding strong French casts.

He continued this tradition during the 1980s and 90s with a wide range of acclaimed thrillers.

This film is in a strong tradition. It has overtones of family tragedies, different generations, going back to traditions from Greek drama.

While the situation is contemporary, the themes are universal, especially with the central character wanting to be mayor of the city, the exercise of her campaign, the issue of family secrets, the influence of her elderly aunt and memories of the German occupation of France. Nathalie Baye, as always, is very strong in this role, supported by veteran Suzanne Flon as the aunt.

Benoit Magimal is the young son who has been in America for some time and returns home to the family conflicts. Also in the cast is Chabrol’s own son, Thomas.

A very interesting and complex plot, insight into French families and traditions, family secrets.


1. A personal and political thriller? Murder thriller?

2. The work of the director, from the 1960s for half a century? The strong cast and their place in French cinema?

3. France, Bordeaux, the provinces, the mansion, the interiors and the affluent way of life, the town, visiting the poorer estates, the campaign offices, the visit to the beach and the Germans, country house? The musical score?

4. The title, the evil in the family, the origins in the 1940s, the collaboration with the German the German occupation, the members of the family and the resistance, Aunt Line and her role in the family, love her brother, killing her father? The plane crashes? The combining of families?

5. The introduction, the house, the stairs, Michele sitting in the room, the body on the floor? And the resumption of the sequence of the end, what happened, covering up the killing?

6. The introduction, François, returning from the United States, three years away, his attitudes towards the United States and the Americans, the critical comments about Americans, beliefs, God, food? The changes in the town, going home, greeting each member of the family, the meal together? His relationship with his father, stepmother? With Michele and the reticence? With Aunt Line? Matthieu, his work with and, the pamphlet and reading it aloud, the reactions? The attraction to Michele, talking, reuniting?

7. Gerard, his business and pharmacy, lab, shop? His wife, marrying Anne? His lack of interest in politics? The issue of the pamphlet and the irony that he wrote it? Angry at his son? Not participating in the political campaign? The social with the Mayor, flirting with the actress, her visiting the shop? His coming on to Michele and her resistance? The lampstand, his death?

8. Anne, marrying into the family, the background of politics, her standing for election, busy, working with Matthieu, at home, cheerful, vigorous, the campaign and visiting the estates, with the people? Pleasant? At the social, confronting the right-wing politician, asking him about the pamphlet?

9. Aunt Line, her age, her story, on trial, freed, her reputation and people’s memories? With the youngsters, encouraging them, the key to the holiday house? The visit, the Scrabble game? Michele and the death of Gerard? Moving the body, upstairs, changing the lamp? Telling the true story? The election and her taking the blame, calm?

10. Michele, with her mother, Gerard as a stepfather, living in the house, François and his return, their love since childhood, the years, the confession, the behaviour of each during François’ absence, the sexual relationship? The decision to go to the holiday home, on the beach, together? Aunt Line and her visit?

11. The election, the visits and discussions with the voters?

12. Matthieu, his character, role, assistant, furthering his career, hard work?

13. The visit to the restaurant, Pierrot and his memories, supporting them?

14. Michele, her psychology, discussions with François about not liking his father? The reasons? At the beach? Her studies? Gerard and his advances, her defending herself, his death?

15. The pamphlet, the contents, the effect, and persevering, questioning the far-right politician, the campaign, the fact that Gerard wrote the pamphlet? The voting day Anne and success?

16. The death upstairs, Michele and Aunt Line coming to the party, François knowing? Everybody mingling? The future?