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5.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Her Last Affaire remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for dusty, black-and-white British mysteries where everyone talks like they're reading from a legal contract, you might dig Her Last Affaire. If you need snappy dialogue or modern editing, stay away. This is strictly for people who like to watch 1930s decor while trying to figure out who is lying about where they were on a Tuesday night. ☕
The whole thing kicks off with a dead body at a country inn. It is exactly the kind of setup that feels like it belongs in a board game. I couldn't help but think of how much more frantic a movie like A Shot in the Dark handles a similar premise, though this one is definitely more buttoned-up.
The main guy, Alan, is the secretary. He spends half the movie looking like he just swallowed a lemon. Every time he tries to clear his name, he just makes it look way more suspicious. It’s almost funny how bad he is at defending himself. Like, just stop talking, man!
There is a scene near the middle that feels like it drags on for an eternity. The characters are just sitting in a parlor, talking about train schedules. I literally checked my phone to see if I had missed something, but nope, it’s just them talking about trains. It’s aggressively mundane.
Sometimes the movie tries to be a bit too clever for its own good. It gets lost in the weeds of the politician's life and forgets that we are here for the murder. It reminded me a bit of the slow-burn feel you get in The Lucky Number, but without the same kind of charm.
Is it a classic? No. Does it keep you guessing? Sure, mostly because the characters act so strangely that you can't predict their next move. It is perfectly fine for a rainy afternoon when you don't want to think too hard. Just don't expect it to change your life. 🎞️