When the news broke that Noémie Merlant, one of France’s most talented actresses, was co-writing a film with Céline Sciamma, the director of her acclaimed 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire,' cinephiles were understandably excited. However, few anticipated that this collaboration, Merlant’s second venture as a filmmaker following 2021’s 'Mi Iubita Mon Amour,' would steer clear of period romance. Instead, 'Les Femmes au Balcon' (The Balconettes) is a genre-bending film that blends horror, slapstick comedy, and even some toilet humor, creating a wild ride that’s anything but conventional.
Set against the backdrop of a sweltering Marseilles heatwave, the story follows three friends who find themselves in a chaotic and bloody predicament. Ruby (Souheila Yacoub), a confident and sex-positive cam girl, challenges societal norms by questioning why men can go topless on balconies while women cannot. Élise (Merlant), an actress escaping her clingy husband and a film shoot, seeks solitude, while Nicole (Sandra Codreanu), a shy aspiring writer, develops a crush on a handsome stranger across the street (played by 'Emily in Paris' star Lucas Bravo). After a flirtatious balcony exchange and a car mishap caused by Élise, the trio receives an invitation to the stranger’s apartment, where things take a dark turn.
The film’s genre-defying approach is evident from its opening shot, which echoes 'Rear Window,' and its modern take on the gory rape-revenge subgenre. The horror elements are seamlessly intertwined with comedy, recalling films like 'Very Bad Things' but with a more slapstick edge and a refreshingly candid approach to bodily humor. Merlant’s direction boldly critiques patriarchal oppression and champions women’s emancipation, using humor as a tool to address issues of consent and entitlement.
The chemistry among the lead actresses is a standout, with Codreanu, Yacoub, and Merlant forming a dynamic trio that keeps the film engaging. While the characters could easily fall into stereotypical categories, their broad personalities highlight the universality of assault and rape’s impact on women. However, some moments feel overly didactic, particularly when supernatural elements introduce a #MeToo ghost story, where Nicole’s sixth sense reveals the lingering presence of her abusers.
Despite its uneven moments, 'Les Femmes au Balcon' is a vibrant and irreverent film that fearlessly tackles serious topics while delivering laughs. Its exaggerated stylings and unapologetic stance make it a standout in 2024’s Midnight Movie lineup, as evidenced by its premiere in Cannes’ Midnight section. 'The Balconettes' is now in cinemas, offering a fresh take on genre cinema that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking.
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