Read My Lips
As good as it is most of the way through, there are times when "Read My Lips" appears to be sabotaging itself.Actually, it's the rather cutesy directorial touches and the somewhat far-fetched, much-too-convenient plotting that undermine what is otherwise a realistic dramatic thriller.
Still, there's a lot to recommend "Read My Lips." Its premise is fairly original, as is the deliberate decision by the filmmaker to paint nearly all the characters in shades of gray. And then there's the solid lead performance by French actress Emmanuelle Devos, who stars as Carla Bhem, a thirtysomething secretary.
Carla is nearly deaf, and her hearing impairment seems holding her back from bigger, better things, such as promotions at work and a fulfilling romantic relationship. So perhaps that's why she's excited at the arrival of her firm's new intern, Paul Angeli (Vincent Cassel, of "Brotherhood of the Wolf" and "Birthday Girl").
The twentysomething Paul is everything that Carla is not — he's a career criminal who has taken big chances in everything he's done, though now he claims he is ready to go straight.
Stress "claims." It isn't long before Paul begins stealing from work, and he then exacts a measure of revenge on a co-worker who has been cruel to Carla. He even drags Carla into a dangerous scheme involving some of his former associates.
Besides, the unusual pairing of Devos and Cassel works well, thanks to their performances — so much so, that, despite some of their characters' actions being reprehensible, you may find yourself rooting for both.
"Read My Lips" is rated R for occasional use of strong, sexually related profanity, sexual slang terms and suggestive talk, violence (beatings, some off-screen), attempted rape, brief full female nudity, gore and a scene of torture. Running time: 115 minutes.
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