Think Hitchcock directing Fatal Attraction and you're not far from the first half of this compelling thriller from British-born director Christopher Frank.
Julien (Thierry Lhermitte) is a Parisian businessman who picks up the sultry Angela (Nadia Fares) for a one-night stand while his wife is away on holiday. The affair is over before it even begins - or so Julien believes. But Angela, of course, is bent on revenge and calmly begins to dismantle his career, home life and ultimately, his sanity.
Where the film really scores, however, is the way in which Frank raises the stakes when the secret is out in the open. An injection of mystery, Angela's renewed psychological sadism, a series of twists and a great pay-off scene elevates Love in the Strangest Way far above other 'bunny boiler' immorality tales.
It stands out as the kind of well-received, universally enjoyable thriller that would surely have brought Frank's name to the attention of Hollywood studios, but tragically, aged only 50, he died during editing. His final work shows an assured, economical style which lets the narrative hurtle forward while creating vivid central characters who are all credible enough to evince real pangs of sympathy, repulsion and horror.
Maruschka Detmars as Julien's wife, Anne, is especially convincing as she lives the full spectrum of emotions which the indiscretion imposes. Anyone who's ever been let down by their partner will be nodding in empathy as Anne ricochets between hatred, self-pity, disbelief and love. Some striking shots of Paris and wonderfully ironic dialogue complete this stylish and atmospheric piece.
