Une femme chipée: A kidnapping that somehow turns into a rom-com

Is this worth your time?

If you like old French comedies that don't take the kidnapping trope too seriously, you'll probably get a kick out of this. It’s breezy and weird. But if you’re the type who needs logic or a serious tone, skip it. You will absolutely hate the lack of common sense here.

There is something inherently ridiculous about the way Une femme chipée treats abduction. It’s like, oh, he’s kidnapping you? Well, I guess that’s one way to spend a Tuesday evening. Hélène’s shift from victim to willing accomplice is played with this weird, lighthearted shrug that feels very specific to this era of cinema.

Jules Berry is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. He’s got that specific, slightly frantic energy that makes you wonder if he’s a genius or just totally unhinged. When he kidnaps her the first time for the ransom, the movie feels a bit like Her Beloved Villain in terms of its messy, morally grey romancing.

The pacing is a bit all over the place. One minute we’re dealing with a high-stakes ransom demand, and the next it feels like we’re just watching people have tea in a park. I found myself checking the clock, not because I was bored, but because I couldn't figure out if we were supposed to be scared for Hélène or laughing at her.

• The dialogue is snappier than it has any right to be.
• The way the husband, Larsonnier, just coughs up five million francs is honestly impressive, if a bit dumb.
• The second kidnapping sequence is so much better than the first.

I couldn't help but think about how Une femme chipée shares a bit of that chaotic DNA found in movies like Kiss Me, Maritsa. It’s not trying to win awards. It’s just trying to keep you entertained while the plot spirals into nonsense.

There’s a moment near the middle where the police are chasing Germont, and he just… disappears. It’s like the movie forgot it needed a subplot. It doesn’t matter, though. The movie gets significantly better once it stops pretending that the law matters at all.

Honestly? I’m still not sure if Hélène is a mastermind or just incredibly suggestible. She seems perfectly fine with the criminal lifestyle as long as the vibe is right. 🤷‍♂️

If you’re looking for something that feels like it was put together on a whim, this is it. It’s imperfect, it’s a little bit mean, and it’s a whole lot of fun if you don't overthink it.