Abus de confiance: A sweet, slightly wobbly drama

Is it worth your time?

If you like old French dramas that lean heavy on the 'will she get caught?' tension, you’ll probably find this charming. It isn't a masterpiece, but it moves along. If you need grit or fast pacing, you'll be checking your watch.

Danielle Darrieux is the only reason this works. She’s got this wide-eyed, slightly frantic energy that makes you root for her even when she’s clearly lying through her teeth. She’s just so convincing at being unconvincing.

The Setup

It’s all about the grift, really. She’s an orphan who needs a break, and she finds this older gentleman who’s mourning a child. The whole thing feels fragile. Like, one wrong word at dinner and the whole movie is over.

There’s this one scene where she’s trying to learn her 'father's' background—reading letters, looking at old photos—and it’s genuinely stressful. Not because of a bomb or a chase, but because you know she’s digging a hole she can't climb out of.

Random Thoughts

• The legal stuff feels like an afterthought. It’s mostly window dressing.
• Jean Marais shows up, and yeah, he’s got that look. You know the one.
• Some of the dialogue hits that perfect, sharp rhythm you don't really hear anymore.
• The house they film in feels cold. Like, drafty. You can almost feel the chill coming off the screen.

It’s nowhere near as intense as The Letter, but it has its own quiet gravity. Sometimes I think movies from this era rely too much on coincidence, and sure, this one does too. But who cares? It’s a movie about lies.

The pacing slows down in the middle. Maybe a bit too much? I found myself distracted by the wallpaper in the background of the study. It’s hideous. Seriously, who picked that out? 🧐

Anyway, it’s not perfect. The ending lands a bit soft. But for an hour or so, it’s a nice way to disappear into someone else’s messy, tangled life. Don't go in expecting a thriller, just watch the face of the lead actress and try not to feel bad for her.