"Monsieur Hire" is a compelling and deep character study which tells of a reclusive and peculiarly enigmatic and antisocial man, the title character, who is a suspect in a murder investigation and who obsessively watches a beautiful young woman from across his apartment courtyard. A methodically plodding, plaintive, and somber film-making masterwork, "M. Hire" offers none of the big budget bennies and cheap tinsel and titillation of the usual Hollywood fare. Likely to be a love it or hate it flick, "M. Hire" should appeal most to Europic devotees and those into psychodramas and character studies. (B+)

In France, the lonely and reclusive tailor Mr. Hire (Michel Blanc) is an antisocial middle-age man that does not like people. When the young Pierrette is found murdered in his neighborhood, Mr. Hire becomes the prime suspect of the detective (André Wilms) assigned to investigate the case. Mr. Hire usually stalks his neighbor Alice (Sandrine Bonnaire) from his window during the night and sees her encounters with her boyfriend Emile (Luc Thuillier). When Alice accidentally sees Mr. Hire, she surprisingly visits him and he discloses that he is in love with her. Further, he tells that he had witnessed Emile killing Pierrette, but he had not told the police since she would be considered accomplice of the murder. Mr. Hire invites Alice to travel with him to Lausanne, Switzerland, and leave Emile behind.

This is the second time that I watch "Monsieur Hire", released in Brasil on VHS by Abril Video in the 90's, and it is a gloomy little gem of Patrice Leconte. The slow pace gives a perfect development of the personality of the lead character in a awesome performance of Michel Blanc. Sandrine Bonnaire has also a top-notch performance in the role of a manipulative woman. The conclusion is also magnificent with the explanation of the omission of Mr. Hire. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Um Homem Meio Esquisito" ("A Quite Weird Man")

Monsieur Hire

For a man who likes great cinematography, nice colors and a pretty female face, this film offers all of the above for me.

Director Patrice Leconte usually makes stylish movies and this is no exception. It's beautiful to view. So is Sandrine Bonnaire, the leading lady. I'll have to see what other films have her in them. There are numerous closeups of her in this movie. This French effort doesn't show much "skin," yet the film has an erotic appeal. That tells you something.

Michel Blanc, the male lead, plays a strange character but he's fascinating to watch, too.

To be honest, the film has its slow moments but it is mesmerizing at times, too. The story is interesting overall and aided by two surprise twists at the end.

I am perplexed and frustrated over why this film is not available on DVD on which this great photography could really be shown off.