One Deadly Summer [L’été meurtrier] ***½ (1983, Isabelle Adjani, Alain Souchon, Suzanne Flon) – Classic Movie Review 10,720

Director Jean Becker’s excellent 1983 French thriller One Deadly Summer [L’été meurtrier] is based on Sébastien Japrisot’s novel and stars Isabelle Adjani, who gives a very striking portrayal of a young woman drifting towards psychosis as she plots to get her own back for her mother’s rape.

The Provençal setting and involving story are as seductive as the star in this assured and gripping French psychological thriller, a heady tale of mystery, sexual manipulation and revenge.

Also in the cast are Alain Souchon, Jenny Clève, Suzanne Flon, François Cluzet, Manuel Gélin, Maria Machado, Evelyne Didi, Roger Carel, Edith Scob, Marie-Pierre Casey, Cécile Vassort, Virginie Vignon and Michel Galabru.

One Deadly Summer [L’été meurtrier] is directed by Jean Becker, runs 133 minutes, is made by Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie (SNC), C.A.P.A.C and TF1 Films Production, is released by Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie (SNC) (1983) (France) and Universal Pictures (1984) (US), is written by Sébastien Japrisot (adaptation), based on Sébastien Japrisot’s novel, is shot in Eastmancolor by Étienne Becker, is produced by Christine Beyout, and scored by Georges Delerue, with Production Design by Jean-Claude Gallouin.

Isabelle Adjani is nominated for two Best Actress Oscars: for L’histoire d’Adèle H (1975) and Camille Claudel (1988).

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,720

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