In this highly unusual film, Bernard Giraudeau perfectly embodies the ophidian lure of the subtle dominator...which engenders a good deal of sympathy for the young man experiencing the ongoing regimen of psychological manipulation, brainwashing, and downright torture imposed on him. M. Giraudeau is a wonderful actor, probably one of the very few who could portray this character. I could not help thinking that his character M. Delamont is exactly like Fassbinder's Leopold, the sinister and tyrannizing character who drove his younger roommate/lover to suicide in "Water Drops on Burning Rocks", released the same year as this film. This film almost seems a sequel: as if Leopold changed his name and refined his techniques enough to cause the events in this film. Bravo, M. Giraudeau. I can't imagine anyone else being able to play either of these difficult, fascinating and repellent roles.
Review of A Matter of Taste
