The Crime is Mine * * * *

This is the latest film from the always excellent Francois Ozon.

Set in the 1930's and inspired by films from that era, it's about an attractive young woman, Madeline, who confesses to committing a murder which she did not do.  

She realises she will probably be let off, and might even gain sympathy, when she explains it was self-defense.  After that she will enjoy the publicity -  and hopefully further her career as an actress.

"J'avoue", says Madeline

She is emboldened by the plan as her best friend is a lawyer who will represent her.  The pair of them live together in a bed-sit and neither of them are getting much work. They are months behind in the rent. 

Like those wonderful light comedies from the thirties, forties and fifties, the characters are more caricature than realistic: brassy and exaggerated in their cleverness or incompetence. 

It's shot in the stagey style of films of that time, with static cameras and characters appearing on que. 

Her initial interrogation and the following court scenes where she is absolved are hysterical. The whole plan seems to work, until another character - the real murderer comes - on to the scene.  Can Madeline and her lawyer friend overcome this hurdle?

It's a lot of fun.  It is shot in the French language, but I don't think much is lost in translation as we read the subtitles, it remains very, very funny.