La Vérité (1960)

Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Stars: Brigitte Bardot, Paul Meurisse, Charles Vanel
Runtime: 127 minutes

Synopsis: A liberated small-town girl and the family's black sheep moves to Paris with her sister, only to find herself standing trial for the shocking murder of her young lover. Was his killing premeditated or was this a crime of passion?

Performances: 5/5
Screenplay: 4/5
Editing: 4/5
Cinematography: 5/5
Score/Soundtrack: 5/5

Verdict: Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot and starring French icon Brigitte Bardot, "La Vérité" sees protagonist Dominique Marceau stand trial for the murder of her lover Gilbert.

When you watch "La Vérité", you're actually treated to two movies for the price of one. Half of the film acts as a riveting courtroom drama in which the fragile human condition is evaluated, making it much more profound and in a way philosophical than the average movie in that genre. The other half, told through flashbacks throughout the film, is meant to show the audience the events that lead to the murder in question, an aspect that resulted in it acting as a very interesting character study of Dominique, tremendously played by the great Bardot. The transitions between the two narratives were done in a pretty efficient way, with none of them feeling like they overshadowed the other. "La Vérité" is also a technically beautiful black and white movie in which both the use of shadows and music used add to the general distressing mood set by Clouzot.

Lovers of classic French cinema or movies such as "12 Angry Men" or "To Kill a Mockingbird" will absolutely adore "La Vérité". It's one of the best courtroom dramas of all time because, similarly to the aforementioned classics, it touches on elements of humanity and ethical dilemmas. Definitely worth your time.  

FINAL GRADE: 9/10