By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Léa Mysius
Starring: Adèle Exarchopoulos | Moustapha Mbengue | Patrick Bouchitey | Sally Dramé | Swala Emati
Original language title: Les cinq diables
Year: 2023
Running time: 103
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13391708/reference/
Michael says: “For second outing as writer/director, French artiste Léa Mysius tackles mystic melodrama with largely successful results. An eight-year-old girl with supernatural smelling abilities, an forbidden romance, a tragic fire, and some time travel all add up to a filled-to-bursting narrative, but somehow it works, largely due to Mysius assured directorial hand, and some top notch performances. Still, it’s a French melodrama, and things do get pretty heightened, but never so far as to go over the edge.
“Ever since ZERO FUCKS GIVEN and last year’s Best Actress nomination, I’ve been on a bit of an Adèle Exarchopoulos, with her bonkers turn in Quentin Dupieux’s MANDIBLES, and her more recent turn as part of a doomed throttle in Ira Sachs’ PASSAGES. In THE FIVE DEVILS, she spends much the film frowning, clearly living a life she wasn’t meant to live, with the exception of her unique daughter who she adores. Young Vicky Soler, in her debut role, handles a complex role adeptly. Her reactions are spot on. Mysius is a talent to watch, and THE FIVE DEVILS is definitely a worthwhile endeavor. Kudos to the cinematography by Paul Guilhaume as well. 4 cats“