The 2023 French crime comedy The Crime Is Mine has earned a near-perfect 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes, drawing comparisons to Only Murders in the Building for its lighthearted take on solving a murder. The period drama combines glitz, glamour, and slapstick comedy, set in 1930s Paris.
The film follows Madeleine, a poor actress played by Nadia Tereszkiewicz, who is accused of murdering a sleazy producer. With the help of her lawyer friend Pauline Mauléon (Rebecca Marder), she is acquitted in self-defence and rises to fame. However, their scam is later exposed by a fellow movie star. The story is loosely based on the 1934 play Mon crime, which had earlier American adaptations in 1937's True Confession and 1946's Cross My Heart.
Cast and Reception
The cast also includes Isabelle Huppert as Odette Chaumette, Fabrice Luchini as Gustave Rabusset, and Dany Boon as Fernand Palmarède. 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 fan described it as 'a breath of fresh air,' calling it 'silly, glorious and beautifully acted,' adding: 'The best hour and forty-two minutes I have spent watching something in a very long time. A welcome break from the usual dross.'
Streaming Options
The film is in French with English subtitles, which did not deter English-speaking viewers. One shared: '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. Watching this film left me feeling like I do after watching a truly excellent play - it is so deeply satisfying. I hope it is made available more widely.' The Crime Is Mine is also praised for its glamorous fashion and set designs against the romantic backdrop of Paris. It is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer, and can be rented on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
