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6.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Flagrant délit remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like your movies to move fast or have modern editing, skip this. It’s a stage play trapped in a camera box. But if you have a soft spot for the 1930s style where everyone talks in perfect, slightly pointed sentences, you might find Flagrant délit surprisingly fun.
Avoid this if you need high stakes or actual action. It’s all about the chatter. It’s all about the eyebrow raises.
The plot centers on an old guy who is essentially trying to outsource his own marriage. He’s looking for a replacement husband for his wife before he kicks the bucket. Most people just get a lawyer; this guy goes hunting for a professional burglar.
It sounds like the premise of The Whole Truth or maybe something slightly more sinister, but it stays remarkably light on its feet. The comedy relies entirely on the awkwardness of the dinner party.
There is a scene near the middle where the burglar—who is supposed to be this suave, dangerous figure—just completely fails to be intimidating. He’s trying to be a criminal mastermind, but the wife is just bored. It’s a great dynamic.
The pacing is a bit like a leaky faucet. Sometimes it drips perfectly, other times it just stops entirely for thirty seconds of silence. You can tell they were still figuring out how microphones worked, because sometimes the actors sound like they're whispering from the next room.
It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even a particularly good movie by modern standards. But there’s something undeniably sweet about watching people from ninety years ago try to be clever. They weren't trying to change the world. They were just trying to get a laugh out of a theater crowd, and sometimes, that’s enough. 🥂
Don't expect the grit of The Outcasts of Poker Flat. This is strictly for the Sunday afternoon crowd who want something light and slightly dusty.
