VOLEUSES/ WINGWOMEN

France, 2023, 116 minutes, Colour.

Adele Exarchopoulos, Melanie Laurent, Manon Bresch, Isabelle Adjani.

Directed by Melanie Laurent.

As the title indicates, this is a strong women’s film. Leading characters – but as the French title suggests, the criminal aspect of their lives and careers?

The film has been cowritten and directed by French and international star, Melanie Laurent (who made such an impact in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds who has gone on to star and direct at home and abroad).

She is at the centre of the film, with Adele Exarchopoulos, two criminals, one a thief, the other a sniper, but rescued from the streets by an elegant but sinister woman who is known as Godmother. She is played by celebrated French star, Isabelle Adjani – and seen initially at a cinema watching the film starring Danielle Darrieux and Jean Gabby and, linking this film to the tradition of French classics.

On the one hand, this is a smiling comedy rather than laugh out loud. On the other hand, it is a caper and heist movie, scenes of action, chases in the streets, drones in pursuit, shootouts. And, there is a range of international settings and beautiful locations.

There is the theme of the arch criminal and the hold over the subordinates, talking about letting them go after one last heist, but still threatening them. And, the characters who are getting tired of all the action, would like to retire quietly but are required to do one last job.

A variation on popular buddy and comic action themes, French style, women’s style.

1. Title and tone? Graphic novel? Characters and action? The female perspective, characters, action, relationships, writing and direction?
2. A variation on the buddy comedy, characters and relationships, action together, ordinary, crises? The musical score?
3. The background of heist and capers, Carole and Alex, the opening, Alex and the rollerskating, the bruises, coming home, comfortable with Carole? The relationship? But their crime career? Killers? Their jobs, emotions? The initial action, the pursuit, the drones, their discussions about groceries and ordinary things, of the cliff?
4. The theft sequences, action, suspense, chases through the streets, the drones, shootouts?
5. The character of Godmother, Isabelle Adjani and her status in French cinema? Seen watching the film with Danielle Darrieux and Jean Gabin? The link to French classics? Her manner, age, control, the past and her rescuing the two, her hold over them, at her command? Her house, manner and style?
6. Carole and Alex, skills as thieves, sniper? The careers? Wanting to get out? Godmother and her hold over them, the threats?
7. The last job, the getting of the city plans, travel to cities, the arms dealer and weapons, going to Corsica, the target for stealing, the painting – and Godmother condemning it as kitsch?
8. Sam, Formula One, driver, in need of a job, the two recruiting her, the montage and training?
9. The finale, the action? Confrontation of Godmother? And the hopes for being able to live a life?