A small-time con man on the run from the gangster husband of his girlfriend hides out in a strange brooding mansion run by two mysterious women. There he finds himself trapped in deception between the two women. A lush decadent thriller featuring beautiful French Riviera settings.System Requirements:Running Time: 94 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA/LOVE & ROMANCE UPC: 741952313991 Manufacturer No: KLF-DV3139 Product Description
 |  | Jane Fonda classic from Rene Clement |  |
Finally, a proper transfer of this 1964 early Jane Fonda classic from noted French director Rene Clement. Koch Lorber has done a fantastic job of issuing this - it's in the proper aspect ratio, with what appears to be a new transfer, and they've provided the English language version as well as the French language version released in the country of origin (with optional English subtitles for that version!). Bravo!
July 29, 2008Rene Clement was one of the supreme French filmmakers of his generation and found in Alain Delon (don' t forget his previous collaboration in that cult movie "Purple noon") personage to express the contradictions of a handsome guy who is chased and decides to seek refuge in a gloomy mansion.
A dark and somber Noir film. Absolutely recommended
Good entertainment.
September 2, 2006 | | Spellbinding French crime thriller! | |
Being a fan of Alain Delon, French New Wave films of the 60's and classic film noir was reason alone for watching this incredible movie. I recently viewed "Purple Noon" and fell in love with director Rene Clement's style and his eye for detail. He handles the most complex situations with such a creative flow that is visually striking. After reseaching his other films I came across "Joy House" with Alain Delon and Jane Fonda. The DVD is OOP and I had to spend quite of bit of money to be able to buy the film. I'm happy to say it was money well worth spent. I loved the movie! From the moment the credits appear in and out and from behind the scenery I was mesmerized. What starts out as a typical "man on the run from the mob" screenplay soon evolves into an almost gothic, melodramatic thriller with hints of macabre humor.
Alain Delon and Jane Fonda were at their youthful, hip, gorgeous BEST when this film was made. They both have great chemistry together and give excellent performances. They seem to be having so much "fun" with their characters and with the puzzle-like plot.
The transfer to DVD is very good. The beautiful black and white images are sharp and Clement's composition shots are breathtaking. The musical score is memorable and adds great eeriness and excitement to the scenes. This is a film that thrills you with it's suspense and yet has fun in a "campy" way with it's plot and characters. Watch out for those "TWO CRAZY WOMEN"!
July 7, 2005| | | Underrated French Classic | |
This wonderful little gem of a movie is terribly underrated. Talented director Rene Clement (Purple Noon, Forbidden Games, ETC.) is in top form with this suspensful crime drama that takes an unexpected twist and Alain Delon has never looked better (except in Purple Noon... maybe). Fans of Purple Noon and 1960s French crime cinema should really enjoy it!
All the actors give terrific involved performances and the energy between a young Jane Fonda (Barbarella era) and Alain Delon is electric!!
Also of note - Lalo Schifrin produced an amazing score for this film that will stick with you long after it's over.
The DVD quality is terrific and the film looks very sharp, which highlights Henri Decae's amazing cinematography. Well worth purchasing if you can't find the DVD for rent! July 16, 2003
 | | Surprisingly Good Suspenser | |
"Joy House", aka "Les Felins", is a surprisingly good suspenser, with more than enough twists and turns to keep you intrigued until the clever ending. Unfortunately, the film has been transfered to video with less than loving care. A scratchy, brittle-looking print has been letter-boxed slightly, then squeezed to further accomodate a standard-size TV screen. (They don't tell you that on the video box.) The results are wierdly off-putting and less than inviting. Perhaps the DVD of this title is an improvement over the video release. If not, some smart film preservationist would do well to see that a cleaner, crisper print is available for any future transfer. (In the correct aspect ratio, please!) I have a sneaking suspicion that "Joy House" may be an even better film than one would gather from its current video release. It's got an extremely attractive cast, beautiful settings, and top-notch craftsmen working behind the camera. Thankfully, the film never seems to take itself too seriously, moves at a good clip, and has an ending that's tension-packed and appropriately ironic. The only major drawback of the production might be its lack of color photography, otherwise it's almost comparable to Clement and Delon's earlier suspenser, "Purple Noon"... but not quite. Overall, "Joy House" is quite a good film, very entertaining, and, on the whole, worth purchasing, especially if you're a fan of Delon, Fonda, or the lesser-known Albright... just so long as you don't mind a video transfer that leaves a lot to be desired.(Good News! I've had a chance to compare the DVD with the VHS, and I'm happy to report that the DVD is pretty terrific, sound and picture wise. Everything you'd expect when you plunk your money down for a movie at home. A big, big improvement over the VHS version. Plus, there are two soundtracks on the disc: English and French. Only complaints: if you want to watch the film with its French soundtrack, there are no English subtitles to go with it, and, as someone else has noted, there are no DVD extras. But listen, if you're even halfway interested in seeing "Joy House", definitely, definitely watch the DVD edition and not that lousy VHS version.)
October 22, 2001More reviews at Amazon.com ...
Daily Birthdays
