Servant and Mistress Movie Review

Bruno Gantillon focuses on a sadomasochistic relationship between a housekeeper-turned-heiress and a diplomatturned-butler. Servant and Mistress is a seamlessly constructed film; not a word or a gesture between the two leads is wasted. With careful direction and a tasteful screenplay, this strong story of cruelty and humiliation is woven into another, more subtle romantic theme. It's a tricky balance, and Gantillon and cast handle it quite well. This fascinating, disturbing portrait of shifting power via the strange games this couple plays is definitely worth a look. AKA: Servante et Maîtresse.

1977 90m/C FR Victor Lanoux, Andrea Ferreol, David Pontremoli, Jean Rougerie; D: Bruno Gantillon; W: Dominique Fabre.