Watch The Color of Lies

The Color of Lies is a political thriller released in 1999, directed by Claude Chabrol and starring Sandrine Bonnaire, Jacques Gamblin, and Antoine de Caunes. The plot revolves around the disappearance of a young girl named Lola, whose body is later found by the side of a lake. Her art teacher, Rene Sterne (Jacques Gamblin), becomes the prime suspect, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that things are not as straightforward as they seem.

The film is set in a small town in northern France, where everyone seems to know each other's business. Lola's death sends shockwaves through the community, and people start pointing fingers at Rene, who is known for his eccentricities and his peculiar relationship with Lola. However, the investigation takes an unexpected turn when Rene's wife, Viviane (Sandrine Bonnaire), begins to doubt his guilt and sets out to uncover the truth.

As Viviane digs deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets that threaten to unravel the town's social fabric. With the help of a journalist named Germain-Roland Desmot (Antoine de Caunes), she uncovers a sinister plot involving Lola's parents, a wealthy businessman, and a corrupt police force. But as she gets closer to the truth, Viviane finds herself in danger, and must use all her wits to survive.

One of the most striking things about The Color of Lies is its visual style. Chabrol uses bold, contrasting colors to create a sense of unease, and the film is full of striking images, such as a red coat against a white background or a green dress in a sea of grey. The cinematography is superb, and the film has a dreamlike quality that adds to its sense of mystery.

Another strong point of the film is its performances. Sandrine Bonnaire, in particular, is excellent as Viviane. She brings a quiet intensity to the role, and her understated performance is a perfect counterbalance to the more flamboyant Jacques Gamblin. Gamblin, for his part, is utterly convincing as Rene, and his portrayal of a man whose innocence is in doubt throughout the film is masterful. Antoine de Caunes, meanwhile, provides some much-needed comic relief as the journalist who is more interested in a good story than the truth.

The film's pacing is deliberate, but it never feels slow. Chabrol takes his time to unfold the story, and the tension builds gradually until the explosive finale. There are some moments of violence and gore, but these are used sparingly and always in service of the story.

Overall, The Color of Lies is a thought-provoking thriller that explores themes of guilt, innocence, and the nature of truth. It is a film that rewards close attention, and its final twist is both surprising and satisfying. It is a testament to Chabrol's skill as a director that he is able to create such a complex and subtle film while still delivering an engaging and suspenseful story. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery should definitely give The Color of Lies a watch.

The Color of Lies is a 1999 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.