While this isn't a great film, and at times it was just too "talky", I strongly admire the attempt by those involved to make something different. The movie is an odd blend of several types of films and the end result certainly is odd. Imagine taking an episode of MURDER SHE WROTE or an Agatha Christie novel as your basic plot. Then, combine it with the movie THE WOMEN--add a little sexual farce--then throw in a few really silly song and dance numbers and you get this movie! The songs are generally, very silly and in some cases sung by women who have no right singing on film--and that, to me, makes them even entertaining by their downright cheesiness.

The 8 Women happen to consist of the household where the only man, Marcel, is found dead. Which one of these women is responsible is unknown and from then on, the movie slowly unravels its many bizarre plot devices--bisexuality, incest, adultery,...you name it. While the film is in no way explicit, they certainly talk about a lot of vices so this isn't the best film for the kiddies! Interestingly enough, the producers for this French film must have "broken the bank" to secure the talents of so many famous and high-salary actresses. While only Catherine Deneuve will be known to the average American, several other cast members are among the top box office draws in France and includes Isabelle Huppert (who is, without a doubt, the funniest and best character among the 8),Emmanuelle Béart, Fanny Ardant and Danielle Darrieux (as the second funniest character). The other actresses, while less famous, equip themselves well in the movie.

Despite some lulls and a completely unbelievable plot, the movie keeps you guessing and is well worth finding. Certainly far from perfect, but fun nevertheless.

In a house with eight women, the unique man in the house is found dead on his bed, stabbed on the back. He was the husband and father of three of them, and had some type of connection with the others. The eight women are trapped in the house, surrounded by a heavy snow, without a telephone line or a car, which were sabotaged. Dirty secrets are revealed along the story, showing that the house is indeed a nest of snakes, culminating in a surprising end, with lots of black humor. This movie has some of the best actresses from French contemporary cinema. The story is too short, therefore the director used lots of boring songs, with a ridiculous choreography, to complete the running period. It looks like a theater play, basically taking place in one scenario only. Catherine Deneuve is very fat and swelled, and uses some costumes with a large stripe around the belly to hide her shape. Isabelle Huppert is too much caricatural, performing a middle age single woman. Her character has irritated me, how ridiculous she is. The rest of the cast shows good shape and great performance. Maybe the greater problem was the expectation I had with this film: too much propaganda and very overrated in the critics. The conclusion of the plot is really worthwhile. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): `8 Mulheres' (`Eight Women')

As far as I know, everyone likes a good whodunit, and "8 Women" is done especially well. It focuses on an octet of females trapped in a snowed-in country house in 1950's France. Everything seems to be going normal, until the host is murdered. Naturally, everyone is suspect. As the investigation unfolds, we learn that every one of the women has a secret, and that they may not be telling all that they know.

"8 Women" could easily be an Agatha Christie novel, with the surprise turns and tense environment. If absolutely nothing else, it goes to show that the French seem to have an interesting knack for mystery (and we always associate them with fluffy love stories!). Not only that, but they even manage to throw in some music and get the music to match the setting.

Tres bien!