The Crime Is Mine, a French crime comedy from 2023, is now streaming on BBC iPlayer after earning a near-perfect 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, set in 1930s Paris, blends period drama with a light-hearted murder mystery that has drawn comparisons to Only Murders in the Building.
Plot and Cast
The story follows Madeleine, a struggling actress played by Nadia Tereszkiewicz, who becomes notorious after being acquitted of murdering a disreputable producer in self-defence. With help from her lawyer friend Pauline Mauléon (Rebecca Marder), she mounts a defence that leads to fame, but a fellow film star later exposes the truth. The cast also includes Isabelle Huppert as Odette Chaumette, Fabrice Luchini as Gustave Rabusset, and Dany Boon as Fernand Palmarède.
Based on a 1930s Play
The film is loosely inspired by the 1934 play Mon crime, which was previously adapted for American cinema as True Confession (1937) and Cross My Heart (1946). The entire film is in French with English subtitles.
Fan and Critic Reception
One Rotten Tomatoes reviewer wrote: "Ridiculously silly, absurd and funny. What a joy! It's light-hearted and a bit of a slapstick comedy. It's a snowball; it starts lightly fun, but at the end, you just cannot laugh at it." Another viewer commented: "This film is such great fun - witty, funny and full of big personalities. Yes, it's in French with subtitles. That doesn't take away from the enjoyment at all." A third called it "a breath of fresh air" and "silly, glorious and beautifully acted", adding: "The best hour and forty-two minutes I have spent watching something in a very long time."
Where to Watch
The Crime Is Mine is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer, and can also be rented on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. The film is praised for its stunning costume design, lavish sets, and romantic depiction of 1930s Paris.
