persefan

Lets start with the basics. The same name novel is outstanding!!

A great thriller novel with ethographic (represents the ethic and customs of a society) elements of a poor agricultural society.

The novel explores the psyche of an old woman (Hadoula), who lived on the margins of society and suffered a lot from poverty and other people mostly from her mother. The old woman having existential thoughts, starts to "Psilonei o nous tis" that means to embrace madness. These thoughts and her insane believings lead her to become a serial killer of young girls.

On the other hand the movie has nothing to do with this. On the movie the society not only seems to know about Hadoula killing girls, but also invite her sometimes to kill their girls. There is no suspence, no existential dilemmas, only a sick corrupted society where all the problems comes from the evil slothful Men. And of course the film doesnt explore the psyche of a troubled woman who turns into serial killer, which is amazing on the book, reaching Dostoyevskys explorations of troubled people!!!

In few words the film has a dull and misleading atmosphere with no suspence and very slow plot. Without any deeper meanings and dilemmas.

This is one of my favorite summer movies!! I know its a thriller and mystery movie but... this indolently and lazy atmosphere, the carefree vibes that are similar to Eric Rohmers movies makes it a nostalgic summer movie of other times.

In my opinion the scene, especially the shot that Alain Delon lies uneburdened in the chaise lounge and orders a drink is the most summerish scene ever!!!

The strange think is that while Ripley is "the bad guy", you like him, you are with his side, sometimes you find yourself adopt his amorality... an outcast who gets even with the favored society in unethical ways. And all these happens because... he is Alain Delon!!!

And maybe that was the intention in the first place.