Cousins

UPC: 715515086516

Studio: Criterion

MPAA Rating: NR   Contains:[Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Substance Abuse, Sexual Situations]

Summary: This was the first of several films that would win international awards for French New Wave director Claude Chabrol. His aloof, innovative approach to the simple story says as much as the plot itself in which two cousins symbolize polar opposites. Charles (Gerard Blain ) is the cousin from the provinces with "bourgeois" values. His steadfast determination unfortunately does not help him pass exams or at first, succeed with women. Paul (Jean-Claude Brialy) is the urbane, rather debauched and decadent cousin who appears to conquer all. Appearances can be deceiving as they soon discover when Charles falls for Paul's friend Florence (Juliette Mayniel) -- and tragedy waits in the wings. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Category: Drama

Awards: Golden Bear – Berlin International Film Festival

Features: Audio commentary featuring film scholar Adrian Martin
Theatrical trailer

Cousins

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 09/20/2011

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Pre-1954 Standard

Audio: DD1 Dolby Digital Mono

Runtime: 109 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) French

Subtitles: English

Region: Blu-ray region A (North America, Central America, South America, Japan, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia)

Craig Butler

Most tales of the "city mouse, country mouse" variety tend to be rather lighthearted, but Les Cousins takes a darker view of the situation, resulting in a fascinating, mesmerizing, bleak film, the comedy of which is distinctly black. In director/writer Claude Chabrol's tale, the simple virtues of "good" cousin Charles cannot compete with the decadent force of will the "bad" cousin Paul. In Charles' eyes, it is all unfair, yet Chabrol doesn't see it that way. There isn't really fair or unfair, or perhaps it's more correct to say that determining fair and unfair requires a more complex way of looking at things than is normally assumed. Moral ambiguity and guilt are Chabrol's stock in trade here, and he layers the story with them in a most affecting manner. The result is a cruel film, but its brutality has an honesty to it. One cannot warm to Paul, whose arrogance and sadism keep him at a distance. But Charles never quite captures one's heart either, despite his role as the victim. Chabrol contrasts them in a complicated pas de deux that brings them vividly to life. He's aided immeasurably by Gerard Blain and Jean-Claude Brialy's letter-perfect performances, as ell as by an equally effective on from Juliette Mayniel. Some will find Cousins difficult to watch, especially the orgy sequence with its Nazi ending. But those who can stick with it will be amply rewarded. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Jeanne Perez  Actor 
Gilbert Edard  Actor 
Jean-Marie Arnoux  Actor 
Paul Bisciglia  Actor 
Jean-Louis Maury  Actor 
Stéphane Audran  Actor 
Corrado Guarducci  Actor 
Jean-Pierre Moulin  Actor 
Guy Decomble  Actor 
André Jocelyn  Actor 
Paul Gégauff  Screenwriter 
Claude Chabrol  Director 
Claude Chabrol  Producer 
Claude Chabrol  Screenwriter 
Paul Misraki  Composer (Music Score) 
Gérard Blain  Actor 
Jean-Claude Brialy  Actor 
Juliette Mayniel  Actor 
Claude Cerval  Actor 
Geneviève Cluny  Actor 
Michele Meritz  Actor 

Country: France