LES SOEURS FACHEES

Martine (played by the irrepressible Isabelle Huppert) lives a comfortable bourgeois existence in Paris - having married 'up' in the world to escape her working class upbringing. She has no interest in her husband Pierre (Francois Berleand) - so long as he pays for the lifestyle. Her younger sister Louise (Catherine Frot), however, never left the provinces, and works as a beautician in Le Mans. Louise has aspirations to become a writer though, and after sending a manuscript to a publisher in Paris, she's soon invited to the city for a Monday appointment. To Martine's exasperated horror, Louise is coming to stay with her for the weekend!

In the presence of guests, Louise's provincial open-ness, quickly becomes an embarrassment for her elegant and uptight sister - who has done her very best to conceal and erase her chequered past. When alone, however, they slowly begin to re-bond. But social catastrophe looms - Martine has invited her snappy friend Sophie (Brigitte Catillon) and her husband over for dinner - and the unwitting Louise, clearly, will be out of her depth...

This stylish comedy from first time writer-director Alexandra Leclere is packed with plenty of verbal fireworks and provides a great platform for the very classy cast. However, this is Huppert's show. Whether venting her spleen at her husband, back-pedalling, or getting gloriously sloshed, Huppert's Martine is all panache.

France - 2004 - Comedy - 93 mins
In French with English subtitles

Director: Alexandra Leclere
Script: Alexandra Leclere
Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Frot, Francois Berleand, Brigitte Catillon, Michel Vuillermoz