French actress Isabelle Huppert and veteran director Paul Verhoeven both picked up Golden Globes on Sunday for rape-revenge thriller “Elle”, a movie the Dutch provocateur had described as too “amoral” for American actresses, reports FRANCE 24.
Sunday’s one-two marks a stunning turnaround for Verhoeven’s French-language debut, which had left the Cannes Film Festival empty-handed last year, to the dismay of many film critics. “Elle” pipped the heavily-favoured German comedy “Toni Erdmann” to the best foreign film prize, while Huppert pulled off another surprise in the best actress category, topping Natalie Portman’s portrayal of Jackie Kennedy in “Jackie”.
"It was wonderful to work with you -- you are wonderful. I love you, I love you, I love you," an effusive Verhoeven told Huppert at the awards. "In movies, not many things scare me,” said the French actress, reflecting on her latest controversial role, before adding: “In life, it's a different story."
A kick in the gut, as compelling as it is disturbing, “Elle” is a riveting thriller about a ruthless business executive’s outlandish revenge after she is attacked by a masked man at her home.
In imperious form, Huppert stars as Michelle, the unlikely head of a video game company that produces ultra-violent, heavily eroticised entertainment. After she is chillingly raped in the film’s opening scene, Michelle sets about unmasking her assailant and seeking justice for herself (without going to the police), to the bewilderment of friends and family.
Based on acclaimed novel “Oh...” by Philippe Djian, "Elle" shifts effortlessly between horror, perversion and hilarious satire, flirting dangerously with the notion that rape victims might draw some kind of twisted thrill from their ordeal. It works because Michelle’s character is so uniquely enigmatic and ambiguous, carried by an extraordinary Huppert.