"If a substantial frisson is wanting, and some of Julie's murderous methods are rather far-fetched (locking someone in a closet to die from asphyxiation is a novel idea!), the film nonetheless compensates it with Moreau in one of her most restrained roles. Nearly 40 then and down in the mouth, her beauty starts to fade but Truffaut is sensible enough to arm her with fetching coiffure and attires (exclusively in black or white). Julie is an avenging angel whose heart has died with her beloved husband, Moreau registers that flicker of hesitation when Julie is courted by a seemingly earnest Fergus (Denner is such a hard-hitting seducer), a glimpse of resuscitated hope reflected in her eyes as if it spawns a seed in her dead heart. The scene sublimely suggests that Julie is offered a new lease on life if she is willing to bury her past, will she take it? Moreau lets that impression go neither unnoticed nor overboard, such blink-and-you-will-miss-it precision is high-wire attainment."
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