Karry Best movie of this year hands down!

Matrixston Wow! Such a good movie.

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Kirpianuscus it is a strange word, no doubt. because it is the kind of film who reminds old embroideries. the performance of Michel Blanc is the basic argument for this definition. but it is , in same measure, the result of beautiful performance of Sandrine Bonnaire. a film as a challenge. the mark of Simenon and a wise science to explore details. a beautiful build of tension and use of cultural/social references. and the portrait of innocence in the most subtle, delicate, precise and touching manner. a film about the woman/man near you. as question and provocative self definition and reflection. or, only, as painful lost of illusion.

FilmCriticLalitRao In 1940s, due to the widespread commercial as well critical success of his thriller films, the undisputed master of French cinema, Henri Georges Clouzot was dubbed "The Gallic Hitchcock" by Anglophone press. However, after his demise, this title was not transferred to any other French director for a long time as nobody had the ability to come closer to the cinematographic vision which Clouzot shared with Hitchcock. By directing "Monsieur Hire", an ambitiously intelligent thriller based on "Les Fiançailles De Monsieur Hire" written by Belgian thriller writer Georges Simenon, Patrice Leconte showed true signs of being considered for this coveted title. "Monsieur Hire" was Leconte's first foray into the world of suspense thriller as his earlier films were all comedies meant to tickle viewers' funny bones in France. One still remembers with avid interest "Les Bronzés" which continues to make French cinema audiences laugh out loud at their own idiosyncrasies. Monsieur Hire is a superb study in alienation where voyeurism makes its presence felt at regular intervals. At this juncture, it needs to be mentioned that in no way does voyeurism preempt the film's main theme which concerns the price one pays for unrequited love. The character of "Monsieur Hire" undergoes numerous changes as in the past it was depicted in a completely different manner to suit tastes of a bygone era. This is one reason why there is a huge difference between a bearded "Monsieur Hire" as portrayed by one of French cinema's greatest actors-Michel Simon in "Panique" (1946) directed by Julien Duvivier as opposed to a bald "Monsieur Hire" as represented by Michel Blanc in this film.

benjones-11 Having read some of the negative reviews regarding this film, I think the first thing to make clear here is that there is no point in watching this film if your idea of a perfect movie is Jurassic Park or The Da Vinci Code.This is a film that focuses not on the story itself, but more on the characters and the emotions that reside within them. The above mentioned films take an idea for a story (a dinosaur filled wildlife park or a mysterious religious secret) and then devise a plot which is by far and away beyond what would ever happen in the real world.In contrast, Monsieur Hire takes a story in which very little happens: A man is suspected of a murder. The man is a reclusive misfit, devoid of charm or humour, but he harbours a love for a woman he has never even met: a woman he knows only through seeing her from his apartment window. Unlike the aforementioned films, the plot, from beginning to end, can be summarised within just a few sentences. But it is what is behind the plot which makes this movie incredible. It is the notion of love which drives the film.The acting and directing show passion that is more intense and sexual than anything I have seen, yet it does so without even a hint of what you would expect from a film described as "intense" and "sexual". The intensity of the love shown by the protagonist is beyond anything that one would have seen before, and yet it is far from the purity that one would normally associate with such an emotion. Indeed, it is dark and tense, and due to the questionable character of its object, one is left in turmoil as to whether this love is to be admired, pitied or instead viewed as just desserts for a man of his nature.Those who have scored this low on the basis that the characters do not conduct themselves in a "believable way" confound me. The whole point of a film is that it takes you away from the everyday scenario. Most movies show you fairly ordinary people involved in extraordinary stories. This one shows you extraordinary characters involved in a story which (in itself) is fairly ordinary. To score this low based on its plot is to criticise Opera for its storyline. The whole point of the opera is its music, and the whole point of this film is its incredible portrayal of emotion. Brilliantly acted, brilliantly directed, and this will haunt you for some time.If you need your films to be Hollywood factory typecasts then don't watch this. You won't enjoy it. Go and rent out The Expendibles, and leave Monsieur Hire to those who appreciate art when they see it. I'm sorry if that sounds pretentious. I enjoy a cheesy Hollywood flick as much as the next person, but it's sad that there are people who can't see beyond Stephen Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis.

ccthemovieman-1 Monsieur HireFor a man who likes great cinematography, nice colors and a pretty female face, this film offers all of the above for me.Director Patrice Leconte usually makes stylish movies and this is no exception. It's beautiful to view. So is Sandrine Bonnaire, the leading lady. I'll have to see what other films have her in them. There are numerous closeups of her in this movie. This French effort doesn't show much "skin," yet the film has an erotic appeal. That tells you something.Michel Blanc, the male lead, plays a strange character but he's fascinating to watch, too. To be honest, the film has its slow moments but it is mesmerizing at times, too. The story is interesting overall and aided by two surprise twists at the end.I am perplexed and frustrated over why this film is not available on DVD on which this great photography could really be shown off.