The Cheat (1984) User Reviews

a cop. his affaire

[Kirpianuscus · 20 February 2024]

Admiring the performance of Victor Lenoux, the fine job , with his double role of Michel Galabru, the not comfortable, for 1980 s French cinema subject, well used, it is difficult to not like this film.

The subject seems, today, dusty- a policeman in love with young gay musician in period of solve a murder case. The final is forced , romantic and pure unrealistic and the discover of killer of Morane fake at whole. A nice contribution-Roland Blanche in role of Garcia, tricky collaborater of Police,.

The atmosphere, the fair option for Xavier Deluc for the role of Mirande , the melancholic air and the reactions of relatives about sentimental affaire of Verta are nice good points of film.

But, I repeat, the end , sure, in period style, ruins a part of good impressions.

good story, great actors

[kembattery · 9/10 · 31 March 2024]

To watch this film today makes one very glad of the progress the West has made in the past fifty years over this erstwhile taboo subject. The well-portrayed prejudice regarding gay men, the injustice, the violence, the unacceptable hypocrisy of society has not yet been eradicated, but films like these - delicately explicit - definitely help make the general public more aware and more tolerant.

The actors could not have been better chosen, the director is top. The story itself is excellent, convincing and well-developed, combining elements of thriller, love story and classical drama. Super recommended.

Two men in love..

[dbdumonteil · 3/10 · 21 March 2004]

Yannick Bellon was championing all the good causes:the horror of rape ("l'amour violé"),breast cancer ("l'amour nu" ),and here homosexuality. Both "l'amour nu" and "la triche" take place in rich bourgeois milieus :Anny Duperey ,an oenologist so famous that she's eagerly expected in California!It takes all the actress's talent to create an endearing character.Sadly ,she is not supported by the screenplay in which her husband -a police chief- ,while investigating a gay's murder,falls in love with a young musician .It was not his first affair,mind you;and besides "I love women too" says he to a distraught angry Duperey.

SPOILER:the biggest flaw is the way they settle the "problem" :like in the fifties and the sixties movies,the young lover gets killed and thus there will not be any scandal.The easy way out indeed.

I was not cheated

[searchanddestroy-1 · 4 December 2023]

I don't know the filmography of female director Yannick Bellon, she seemed to be a very sensitive film maker, never hesitating to speak of hot subjects, daring topics, especially for those seventies and eighties period. Victor Lanoux is absolutely unique, outstanding in this very difficult role; and believe me, I am not a fan of this kind of plot, I am not a fan of BROADBACK MOUNTAIN, if you see what I mean? This film is fascinating, riveting, terrific, and the directing skills are jawdropping. I am not tired of watching this unforgettable film, very well made, maybe one of the best about homosexuality with men. I don't think that French policemen have the right to shoot a suspect in the back if the latest tries to escape. If they do, Internal Affairs will take the case....