This is essentially a David Lynch film in French, with all that implies: often beautifully shot, an opaque plot generating lots of "what the hell is going on?", yet with that special something that makes the film intriguing enough not to give up on it even when sorely tempted. However, Lynch also usually has a cast a stellar actors who can handle the demands of such films. Sadly, that isn't the case here--far too many times, I found the actors…
In "Sunset Boulevard", Gloria Swanson's Norma Desmond famously said, "We didn't need dialogue, we had faces!” Indeed. And the stylishly directed "Lady Snowblood" has Meiko Kaji's beautiful, steely, and intensely expressive eyes that communicate far more than the relatively limited dialogue of her now-iconic performance. It is easy to see why this highly enjoyable, top-tier revenge flick has become so influential.
Another charming comedy powered by the effortless chemistry of Colbert and MacMurray. This one teaches two important life lessons:
1) Never takes Claudette Colbert along while digging a tunnel under a river.
2) Never, ever, play musical chairs with nine bellicose Irishmen.
