Alain Corneau’s “Love Crime” is one of those rare slow-burn thrillers that delivers in the end. (Perhaps I need to start watching more French movies, because American ones that try this seem to fail more often than succeed.) The film is rather understated, never succumbing to easy sensationalism – although that didn’t stop me from thinking it was lurking around every corner.
“Love Crime” is particularly intriguing to watch unfold because its main character, Ludivine Sagnier’s Isabelle, is so enigmatic. Her actions are puzzling because she seems to be setting herself up for an unnecessarily tough short game in order to win in the long game. Saviginier clues us into the fact that Isabelle has a very sneaky master plan up her sleeves, but we’re left guessing as her introversion gives us little to work with.
Her boss Christine, played by Kristin Scott Thomas in a hint of what was to come in “Only God Forgives,” sets Isabelle up for madness and retaliation by exploiting her work at the ad agency. Their relationship, while clearly hostile and imbalanced, could have been explored a little bit more to really make “Love Crime” a steamier and more intense thriller. Even as is, however, Corneau’s final film is one worth watching because its conclusion delivers when it needs to. B / 
