90 out of 90 people found the following review helpful:

What is happening to Cinema?

blacksmoke from , 22nd September, 2004

If nothing else, One Deadly Summer is an effective example of how Hollywood's increasing ambivalence towards writers and story-telling is contributing to the global 'dumbing-down' in today's media.

The familiar story of rape and revenge is presented here in a complex, emotive and realistic manner, with an outstanding performance by Isabelle Adjani (perhaps better known today for her role in La Reine Margot). The Director Jean Becker sensibly offered the characters time and space to evolve on screen, ensuring the audience is given an opportunity to feel emotionally connected to the story.

One Deadly Summer is an increasingly rare example of how a simple idea can result in powerful Cinema if the film-makers are given creative freedom. Any attempt at a remake would would no doubt result in heavily edited scenes to accommodate 'test screenings' and 'market demographic' (and the inevitable clear moral conclusion that Hollywood loves so much).

If your attention span can accommodate more than 97 minutes viewing without special effects, this film will move you. Isn't that a refreshing change?

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6 out of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Passes the test of time

Cityboy3 from Herts, 4th January, 2005

A wonderfully evocative French film set in Provence and a rare mixture of a happy romp and a deep tragedy which entertains throughout.

The characters are beautifully drawn and the film passes the acid test of being as watchable now as it was when it was made. A stunning performance by Isabelle Adjani and an incredible climax to the film, which is both shocking yet humanly understandable because of the way that the characters have been developed.

Well worth watching as it is a mini classic in its own right.

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4 out of 4 people found the following review helpful:

Worth a watch

A Customer from Fareham, 8th October, 2005

Once again Europe handles a subject in a better and stronger way than Hollywood with a good storyline and some strong performances. Adjani (sp?) is excellent as the cunning girl using her sexuality to get her way, ultimately revenge and the plot weaves it's way through all her suspects with a few twists. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable film that is well worth a watch.

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3 out of 4 people found the following review helpful:

'One Deadly Summer'

ian3 from , 23rd May, 2008

Dull as dish water, found it hard to find anything positive about tihs movie, apart from the end credits............

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the past is best left alone

A Customer from Southall, 23rd July, 2009

good psychological drama

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One Depressing evening

wrightman from , 18th May, 2009

Isabelle Adjani is the main reason for watching this film. She is very attractive but plays a moody character who is not very sympathetic.The story shows how terrible suffering leads to future problems. The ending is very downbeat and does not leave the viewer with a sense of catharsis.It is an interesting film but it fails to satisfy.

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One Deadly Summer

dadidave from , 29th April, 2009

A good movie spoiled by the terrible quality of the DVD transfer. I saw this a long time ago on TV and I cannot remember the quality being as bad as this DVD copy.

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Complex and rewarding

A Customer from Abbots Langley, 29th January, 2009

Amusing, titalating, thought provoking and tragic - all in one film. Excellent.

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