Watch Les Parents terribles

Les Parents terribles is a classic French film from 1948, directed by Jean Cocteau and adapted from his play of the same name. The movie tells the story of a dysfunctional family consisting of Michel, his wife Léonie, Michel's sister Madeleine, and their mother Yvonne. Michel is a successful businessman, and Léonie is his younger wife whom he has taken as a mistress while still married to his first wife. Madeleine is deeply in love with Michel and resents Léonie for coming between them. Yvonne, the mother, is a manipulative and emotionally abusive character who plays games with her family to maintain control over them.

The movie is set entirely in the family's apartment, which Cocteau designed as a surreal and dreamlike space. The apartment is cluttered with ornaments and art, often with strange angles and perspectives that add to the unsettling atmosphere of the film. The apartment also serves as a prison for the characters, who are trapped in their own neuroses and secrets.

The plot of the movie revolves around Yvonne's attempts to break up Michel and Léonie's marriage. She uses her children's love lives as a tool to manipulate everyone around her, pitting her children against one another and charming Léonie into thinking that she has her best interests at heart. Michel's feelings for Léonie are tested by his mother's scheming, and the tension between the characters builds to a dramatic climax.

The film is notable for its intense psychological drama and its exploration of the destructive power of family relationships. Cocteau is known for blending reality and fantasy in his work, and Les Parents terribles is no exception. The characters seem to be in a dreamlike state, driven by their emotions and desires to act in irrational and self-destructive ways. The film's use of symbols and metaphors adds to this surreal atmosphere, making the movie a deeply impactful experience.

The cast of Les Parents terribles is outstanding, with Jean Marais giving a nuanced and powerful performance as Michel, the conflicted businessman torn between his family and his new wife. Josette Day is also fantastic as Léonie, bringing a sensuality and vulnerability to the role that makes her character sympathetic despite her questionable actions. Yvonne de Bray is superb as Yvonne, the manipulative and domineering matriarch of the family. Her portrayal of the character is chilling, and she manages to make Yvonne both horrible and fascinating to watch.

Overall, Les Parents terribles is a gripping and unforgettable film that explores the dark depths of family relationships. Its surreal atmosphere and intense psychological drama make it a standout work in Cocteau's oeuvre, and its cast delivers some of the best performances of their careers. Anyone interested in classic French cinema or in the psychological thriller genre should not miss this film.

Les Parents terribles is a 1950 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.