Genealogies of a Crime (1998)

Interesting, very interesting

I saw this movie on television about a hundred thousand times, because each time, I find myself being recaptivated by it. Of course, I have a very limited knowledge of the people behind it, other than Catherine Deneuve and Michel Piccoli, but I still liked it a lot. It involves the story of a psychiatrist (Deneuve) who gets guardianship over her orphaned nephew, only to be murdered by him ten years later. After the murder, Deneuve comes back to portray the lawyer defending the boy on his charge for murder. From there, she learns of his aunt's psycoanalysis group, meets a witness (Piccoli), and learns of the aunt's former psycoanalysis of her own nephew. I have to say, the movie is extremely interesting, and yet haunting by the boy's character and his mysterious life. It really delves into what some people think is impossible, the whole time, referring itself to a somewhat old story based on the same priciples of the recent one. Then, there is Deneuve, who gets so disguised by both roles, that you are enchanted by her trust, intelligence, and agonizing curiosity. Good movie. July 30, 1999

Dark, enigmatic, somber, captivating and fascinating.

I had the opportunity to see the film and meet the director (Raul Ruiz a Chilean living in Paris since 1973) on a film festival in Miami. I liked the film first because it is based on a true story, and second because it has the courage to contend with one of the dark sides of humanity. Posing the agelong unanswered question, are we born evil?, or do we develop these characteristics as we grow old. The idea is based on an event that occurred in Vienna at the turn of the century which involves a psychoanalyst (Deneuve) and her nephew (Piccoli), what is so particular, is that analysis at that time, believed that the personality of the individual was completely developed by the age of five and could probably be corrected but not changed. The analyst thought to discover on her nephew criminal tendencies as a child, and she wanted to study him to prove this theory. Unfortunately once he grew up at the age of seventeen he proved her right, (or maybe wrong) depending on which side you are. On the surface this seems to be a theme of psychoanalysis but it is much more than that, it is about the constant struggle between free will versus implied fate. It is fascinating to see how Deneuve becomes almost invisible during the story, how she conveys emotions and feelings transforming them into something enigmatic, this is very well suited to her temperament and portrayal. The movie has its flaws but as a whole, the story, the filming, the acting and Deneuve's presence makes it worth while. This is especially captivating for those (like myself) who like to dwell into the nature of human beings. It is like the moth flying to the flame, to the inevitable (sometimes it almost feels like a mirror) and it is so human!. Even If you don't like it!. It will make you think. May 28, 1999

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