La Tourneuse de Pages (The Page Turner)
Seville
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A small-town butcher's daughter, Melanie, aged about ten, seems to have a special gift for the piano. She takes the Conservatory entrance exam, but fails after being distracted by the thoughtless behaviour of the chairwoman of the jury, a well known concert pianist. Bitterly disappointed, Melanie gives up the piano. Some ten years later, while working as an intern with a law firm, Melanie meets Monsieur Fouchecourt, the husband of the woman who changed her life without a doubt. Melanie's efficiency and devotion are quickly noticed and Monsieur Fouchecourt recruits her into his home to look after his son. Madame Fouchecourt soon warms to Melanie when her musical sensitivity comes out, and the young woman becomes her page turner.

I'm always game for a good revenge thriller. Normally you get "manly" films like Kill Bill, Death Wish or any Steven Segal film that has three words in the title that are filled with guns, violence and a rock soundtrack. Although a film about revenge, The Page Turner isn't like any of these.

As a young child, Melanie was a piano virtuoso. She had a bright future ahead of her. That is until her concentration was shot during a major audition when Ariane opted to sign an autograph rather than judge Melanie like she felt she deserved. Melanie broke, tears flowed and her piano-playing days were done. The film then fast forwards a few years and Melanie has herself set up to be an intern for Ariane's husband. She works her way into becoming the family nanny, all the while Ariane has no clue of Melanie's past connection.

The Page Turner has tremendous tension. It builds not on what happens but what may happen. With each passing day Melanie gains more and more trust, giving her more intimate access to Ariane. Déborah François does a tremendous job as Melanie. Her simple shifts in expressions and glares gave me the creeps as you know she is plotting for the perfect opportunity to get her revenge. All the while, Ariane is oblivious to it all despite a couple of warning signs.

The Page Turner might be quiet on the surface, but it's the kind of film that creeps under your skin because, as a viewer, you sense anything can happen at anytime. With gentle plotting the intensity builds and builds until it all boils over.

Video: How's it look?
The film's widescreen picture (1.85:1 aspect ratio) is solid, although the colour palette is a little dull.

Audio: How's it sound?
Audiophiles will be pleased with the classical musical as it comes through clearly with the French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio. There's also a 2.0 stereo track.

Extras: What additional goodies are included?

• Trailer.
• A making-of featurette that's only in French.
• French theatrical trailer.
• Shake Hands With the Devil trailer.
• English subtitles.

Closing Thoughts
Surprisingly tense, The Page Turner is one of the stronger French films I've seen in quite some time. I would have liked at least some subtitles on the making-of feautrette but this is a case where the film alone is worth the price of admission.


Review brought to you by our friend Ryan @ Movie-Views.com