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Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Béart, Fanny Ardant, Virginie Ledoyen ... see more see more... , Danielle Darrieux , Ludivine Sagnier , Firmine Richard

A gaggle of mothers, wives, daughters, maids, and mistresses gather for a holiday homecoming at their country mansion -- and end up having to solve a murder-mystery -- in this musical-comic homage to ... read more read more...studio-era "women's pictures" from acclaimed French director François Ozon. Partly inspired by George Cukor's 1939 classic The Women, 8 Femmes stars Catherine Deneuve as Gaby, a high-society matron just returned to her country house to celebrate Christmas with her husband; mother Mamy (Danielle Darrieux); sister Augustine (Isabelle Huppert); and daughters Suzon (Virginie Ledoyen) and Catharine (Ludivine Sagnier). Not long after they all arrive, however, do they find the man of the house with a knife in his back, whereupon everyone becomes a suspect -- including maids Chanel (Firmine Richard) and Louise (Emmanuelle Béart). The mysterious arrival of Augustine's sister-in-law Pierrette (Fanny Ardant) only complicates matters, as the titular eight women find themselves snowed in by a fierce blizzard, forced to confront the matter of the lifeless husband -- and their long-standing secrets and resentments -- without the aid of the police. Following its immensely successful release in France in early 2002, 8 Women enjoyed much acclaim at the Berlin and Toronto Film Festivals. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

Flixster Users

74% liked it

22,087 ratings

Critics

78% liked it

111 critics

R, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: François Ozon

Release Date: September 20, 2002

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DVD Release Date: February 11, 2003

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Stats: 959 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (959)

  • SirPant
    January 12, 2012
    SirPant
    A quirky murder mystery/who-done-it caper starring a femme fatale cast of French beauties to die for. The script is funny and engaging, the characters are over the top and exciting and the set, colours and little details are stylish and oozing with class. On top of all that, it's... read more a musical!! That was a very pleasant surprise, as was the entire film to be honest. Highly recommended!
  • purplemegan
    April 20, 2011
    purplemegan
    I actually really enjoyed this movie. It was strange and they kept breaking out in song for no apparent reason. It was a movie I could recommend to that guy who always came into FYE and asked for movies that take place in one place (the movie takes place entirely in a house, almo... read morest in just one room). It's definitely not a movie for everyone but if you like quirky foreign films, give it a chance.
  • aliceinpunderland
    November 23, 2010
    aliceinpunderland
    So bad it's good. With IMDb genre tags of Musical, Comedy, and Crime, it pretty much has to be. The songs are farcical nonsense - all character songs, nothing to further the plot - and the cinematography is staid, but I'm pretty sure that's intentional. Nevertheless, it's nice... read more to see all these beautiful legends of French cinema camping it up. Isabelle Huppert and Fanny Ardent are scrumptious. I want Emmanuelle Beart's face. Silence of the Lambs-style. Just cut it off and wear it.
  • kiriyamakazou
    December 25, 2006
    kiriyamakazou
    A bizarre and quirky French musical murder mystery. Each character reveals new plot points and has something to hide. The songs are beautifully written and well executed. The costumes and set design help to create a realistic atmosphere.
  • SarahG1988
    October 2, 2006
    SarahG1988
    Pretty odd french film , which I don't recomend.
  • Yinali
    December 7, 2008
    Yinali
    Tricky. Mysterious. Strangely sexy.
  • DrStrangeblog
    September 27, 2010
    DrStrangeblog
    Engaging whodunit set in roughly the 1930's as 8 women are trapped one snowy day together after Catherine Deneuve's husband is discovered murdered in his bed. Once forced to confront each other, enough skeletons come barging out of the closet to re-enact the undead army in Ja... read moreson and the Argonauts.

    This is a real treat for French cinema fans with a dream cast including Deneuve, the stunning Emmanuelle Beart, Virginie Ledoyen, then-newcomer Ludivine Sagnier, and scene-stealing Isabelle Huppert as an uptight spinster. Everyone is solid and enjoying themselves as the tone never veers into heavy drama, despite the adult themes. The audience is soon clued into this when the first musical number is absurdly sprung 20 minutes in! That's right, this parlor murder mystery features a song for each of the ladies to perform, which they do with their own voice a la Moulin Rouge. The lyrics shed a little light on each character but are essentially inconsequential, the songs are mere vaudevillian diversions. Some might find these interludes ridiculous, which they are and in almost any other movie I would be rolling my eyes too, but for whatever reason I enjoyed these flights of fancy. They all know how to deliver a tune!

    Much backstory is overlooked and the way the film ends is not completely satisfying, but this amusement park attraction is well worth the ride.
  • Parannoyed
    November 1, 2009
    Parannoyed
    Fresh and lovely french murder-mystery that touches upon the comedy and musical genre. Dark, yet manages to be bubbly and smart.
    I was surprised to find such an excellent cast of talented french actresses all in one film.
    It's cheesy, it's quirky, I loved it.
  • SunilJawahir
    April 12, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    An odd choice for a musical but it's fun and visually enjoyable as well as featuring a few wonderful French actresses.
  • jimbotender
    January 8, 2009
    jimbotender
    Shoot the stars.Alternative titles for progressive musicals.Ozon like Winterbottom knows how to dig deep in the editing core and unleash a brand-new measure of unlimited distinction.Oh Beart,Darrieux,all ladies take my breath away...although murder isn't their fashion!

View All 8 Women (8 Femmes) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Lisa Nesselson
June 11, 2008
Lisa Nesselson, Variety

Ozon's notion of derision is perfectly carried out by his multi-generational name cast. Full Review

Joe Baltake
November 15, 2002
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

There are any number of moments that fans of French cinema could only have dreamed of ever happening. Full Review

Anthony Lane
November 10, 2002
Anthony Lane, New Yorker

Ozon's is the art of the white lie, told in blinding color, and tinged with surprising truths.

Robert Denerstein
November 6, 2002
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

A mess? You bet, but one that's not without its pleasures.

Roger Moore
October 25, 2002
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

For pure camp, intentional or otherwise, this is right up there with The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Steven Rea
October 12, 2002
Steven Rea, Houston Chronicle

8 Women may not plumb the depths of the female psyche, but it's stylish and frivolous in the most profound ways. Full Review

Stanley Kauffmann
October 8, 2002
Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic

It is our awareness that five of the brightest French stars have come together to have fun that makes the picture bubble.

Susan Stark
October 4, 2002
Susan Stark, Detroit News

Visually, it adores the women it introduces. Emotionally and intellectually, it mocks them. Full Review

Terry Lawson
October 4, 2002
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

For French film fans, this is the equivalent of Bob Dylan, the surviving Beatles and the Rolling Stones jamming in the studio with an adoring producer behind the glass. Full Review

Steven Rosen
October 4, 2002
Steven Rosen, Denver Post

The acting is such a delight, with each actress nailing her respective personality type with appropriate flair and finesse, that it breathes with life. Full Review

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