The dignity of man is sensibility of passions.

Au coeur du mensonge (1999) directed by Claude Chabrol

For Claude Chabrol,a cinéaste who has made over 50 films,this film must be like one of his loving children.However,his admirers might view it in a different light as it might appear as a minor work for them but many serious viewers would nevertheless feel that there are some nice things to observe in this film.Au coeur du mensonge is a film about people who are grappling with truths and lies in their lives.This film is more of a character study even though it is true that there are two crimes depicted in the film.These vile acts are merely a pretext for small town people to talk of pretentiousness and infidelity.Au coeur du mensonge is also a story about two artists;one of them is a fake and other one is not so sure of his inherent abilities.There is also a woman in their midst who is torn between these two men.The message of this film is simple:To understand a lie,one has to go to its heart.When we watch Sandrine Bonnaire and Jacques Gamblin, we realize that the truth is not so complicated as it is always visible on surface level.

Chaplin knew how to act.

Monsieur Verdoux (1947) directed by Charlie Chaplin

This film was a big eye opener for me.I had always held the belief that Charlie Chaplin was just a highly acclaimed clown indeed buffoon who did nothing but just jump around in order to make people laugh.I think that Monsieur Verdoux is the only serious film which Chaplin ever made in his life.Although the film's topic is touching as it is tragic there is still scope for comedy as the title character Verdoux fools people as he is aware of their vulnerability.The film is based on sociological reasons as many men died during the two world wars and there was an acute shortage of men in Europe.This is where a trickster named Verdoux comes in picture as he had no other decent job but to fool innocent women by making them believe that they loved him and finally kill them.The film is based on a real life character called Landru.A similar film was also made by Claude Chabrol called Landru which starred Charles Denner.Both the versions are OK as they highlight the same notion of human weakness,greed and crime.

A quiet film based on a novel by Simenon

Betty (1992) directed by Claude Chabrol

Chabrol's true representations of women have made him a "cineaste des femmes".Betty signifies a change of pace for Chabrol as after years of thrillers,he has made a quiet film.Betty is a unique tale of a troubled bourgeois woman who felt that she could drown her sorrows in alcohol. Chabrol has accurately adapted Simenon novel as everything appears in a flashback.He has made it clear that he has not created neither a psychological portrait nor a moralistic drama.Betty is a collection of sharp obeservations on bourgeois life.She is a victim of circumstances as destiny did not favour her.Although,her marriage was based on love it didn't succeed as she was sceptical of it from the beginning.What she really wanted was companionship.Betty and Laure share a strange friendship built on mutual trust and respect.Betty's heartrending tale confirms that no woman will ever leave her family unless something tragic happens to her.