The Crime is Mine
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5)
For those into classic cinema, True Confession was the epitome of screwball comedies in the 1930s. Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray were perfect together in this interpretation of the 1934 French play, Mon Crime. Interestingly, this story only recently got a French cinematic release, and this loose translation stays true to the era while giving it some modern twists.
Set in Paris in 1935, Madeleine Verdier (Nadia Tereszkiewicz) is a struggling actress who thinks she has been given a big break from one of France’s top producers, Montferrand (Jean-Christophe Bouvet). Still, he only desires to take advantage of the young woman until she manages to escape his advances and walks home disheartened. That is until the police knock at her door since the producer was killed in his home, and Madeline was the last person to be with him. Initially, she fights the charges against her since she did not kill the man. Yet, her roommate and lawyer, Pauline (Rebecca Marder), explains that the actress could gain unprecedented fame by confessing to the murder in self-defence. This leads to a farcical trial that gets her the attention she desires and opens the door to a new acting career until the actual murderer shows up and wants to benefit from the ruse.
Suppose audiences allow themselves to suspend any disbelief and embrace the madness of this comedic tale. In that case, this French comedy will make for an entertaining time at the cinema. Granted, this screenplay is set in an era that relied less on actual evidence and comedy that had more of a ‘wink,wink, nudge, nudge’ element to it. An atmosphere that makes room for a free-for-all when it comes to over-the-top antics and characters that reflect the period. This look and feel are complemented by marvellous sets and costumes that will envelop the viewer in the perceived 1930s. All the while spinning in a modern feminist agenda that looks to be set for laughs, but does cause some of the dialogue to fall flat amongst the tomfoolery.
Nadia Tereszkiewicz and Rebecca Marder seem to relish the period their friendship is given to flourish within. Yet, Isabelle Huppert dives deep into her role as the eccentric silent movie star, Odette Chaumette, without abandon. Along with other French cinema royalty such as Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon, and André Dussollier, this internationally recognised actress keeps this film on track to being an excellent example of the screwball comedy. These veterans may be the supporting cast, but they are the layers that keep hope alive that comedies can still be made today. The Crime is Mine is an intentional throwback to a bygone era that shows viewers what they have been missing in theatres, humorous comedy without having to be offensive.
Reel Dialogue: Laughter is a gift from God
From the beginning of God’s story, we can understand that we are created in God’s image. This statement does not mean we have the same physical characteristics as God. Still, it does show that we share many of his attributes. As we delve further into this topic, some of the things God gives us are our emotions and outward expression of them. Suppose people think about this idea at all. In that case, most tend to automatically think of love, joy, and sorrow as some of the shared traits we have with the creator of the universe. All these are wonderful aspects, but does this statement mean that God has a sense of humour, and does he really laugh?
To see his sense of humour, look no further than the platypus or the creative nature of the guy’s nose who sits at the desk next to you at work. More evidence of this fact is found in the Bible, where it says that God laughs throughout the Psalms and Proverbs. It usually occurs due to the foolishness of mankind, but he does laugh. The Bible shows mankind that we are allowed to express ourselves similarly.
As a form of emotional release, an expression of joy, or even to laugh at a well-told joke, laughter is a gift from God that is underutilised in so many people’s lives, which is unfortunate. Laughter is a gift that should regularly be opened to be genuinely appreciated. That is no joke!
Ecclesiastes 3:4 - A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…
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