The Balconettes
As a merciless heat wave descends on Marseilles, writer Nicole (Sanda Codreanu) fantasizes about the sexy guy on view in an apartment across the street. Her roommate, video sex worker Ruby (Souheila Yacoub, "Climax"), is less shy and when their actress friend Elise (Noémie Merlant, "Portrait of a Lady on Fire") shows up fresh off a set playing Marilyn Monroe, she hits his car and Ruby takes advantage to exchange phone numbers. That night, they'll get a fateful invitation to come over for a drink after the three dance provocatively on their balcony in "The Balconettes."
Laura's Review: B-
Cowriter (with "Portrait of a Lady on Fire's" Céline Sciamma & "Animal Kingdom's" Pauline Munier)/director Noémie Merlant's sophomore film begins as an engaging murder mystery comedy, its three costars a delightfully different united force, but she fumbles with tone when her perspective splits three ways and shifts to a feminist rape revenge narrative with supernatural overtones. Merlant's message is righteous, but her execution wobbles in her second half.
She does set her stage well, beginning her film on an entirely different balcony where a woman we will learn is Denise (Nadège Beausson-Diagne) lies feigning unconsciousness, both eyes blackened. Her ruse is revealed when her husband (François Cottrelle) throws water on her face, but his action has consequences and when Denise shows up at Nicole's, her biggest concern is hiding her jubilation when the police arrive (later, Ruby will be much bolder). Nicole's conspiratorial laughter reveals her sentiments. But Nicole also has low self esteem, having written that that neighbor would fall for a 'plain' woman, later declaring herself 'too ugly,' and she is taken aback by Ruby's aggressive sexuality, like her enthusiasm for baring her breasts in public. Ruby is as Bohemian in her appearance, with her dramatic makeup and unorthodox wardrobe pairings, as Nicole is conservative, her approach more fresh faced and floral. Then Elise shows up in a blond wig, skintight red dress and heels so high she has trouble walking in them, yet her focus is more on avoiding her husband Paul (Christophe Montenez) than attracting men. But that guy across the street has already charmed.
The trio will be even more impressed when they enter Magnani's (Lucas Bravo, Netflix's 'Emily in Paris') apartment, a lair of artful good taste, including the photographer's own tantalizing portraits of women. He'll pay as much attention to Nicole as Ruby when they all begin to dance, but when the alcohol intake causes Elise to fall over, Nicole decides to usher her home, even though we can sense rivalry with Ruby, who decides to stay, having offered to model for the photographer. The next day she'll awaken back home with black tape x'ed over her nipples and blood on her neck and her hands and when the three women venture back across the street they'll be horrified by what they find.
Up to this point, Merlant is fully in control of her material, but things begin to go off the rails. Although Elise has impulsively agreed to meet Paul in a hotel, in a disorienting jump we suddenly find her outside in the glaring sun, another man trying to pick her up. She'll pass out again and we'll learn that perhaps alcohol wasn't the cause the first time and her reunion with Paul makes clear just why she'd run away in the first place. Ruby is left to reconstruct the night before while Nicole deals with matters practical and supernatural as multiple ghosts begin to haunt her. But what started out as fun becomes somewhat strident as Merlant hammers home her message, at one point using an easily predictable development to justify some of her twists and more nudity to articulate female empowerment. A running fart joke is just plain off putting, a bit of "Bridesmaids" style humor in a film that has exhibited more sophistication, like the silent, amusing acknowledgement when the threesome cross paths with a mother and daughter in a similar predicament.
Cinematographer Evgenia Alexandrova's camera swoops up into the sky from one balcony before settling on another, giving a sense of space which is lacking in interiors where she favors close-ups, not only on faces but other parts of the body, especially when in motion. The camerawork is clumsier when Brad the pit bull's point of view comes into play, someone restraining the dog all but visible outside Alexandrova's frame. Production design largely sticks with interiors, shadowy for the apartments, more brightly lit hotel rooms and doctor's offices, but is generous with color, especially on those balconies. Costume designer Emmanuelle Youchnovski also uses color boldly, clearly delineating the three women. Uèle Lamore's jazz score is the perfect accompaniment to a Marseilles heatwave.
"The Balconettes" boasts a colorful cast and sexy summertime vibe, but Merlant's midway shift is bumpy on her way to a feminist call to arms finale.
Robin's Review: B-
It is 115 degrees Fahrenheit in Marseilles. Two roommates and their friend – Ruby (Souheila Yacoub), Nicole (Sanda Codreanu) and Elise (Noemie Merlant) – suffer the heat by looking out over their balcony at the hunky guy across the way. He invites them over to party but things go terribly wrong for "The Balconettes."
We meet the three roommates one by one with Nicole being the first. She is rather shy and reticent and the exact opposite of Ruby, a free spirit who loves to love. Finally, the third in the triumvirate, Elise, is an actress, unhappily married and separated, and screwing up her job. So, they are ready for a diversion from the heat and handsome Magnani (Lucas Bravo) fills the bill as they flirt shamelessly, especially Ruby, and get an invite to pay him a visit.
They party hard for a while when Elise gets pass out drunk. Nicole takes her home and they leave their friend for a night of sexual bliss. Later, though, Ruby shows up at home all bloody and beaten and unable to talk. Then, they learn the truth when they go back to the late hunk's apartment. It ain't pretty.
This is where "The Balconettes" switches gears from a "girls just want to have fun" buddy flick to one of mayhem, cover-up and guilt – and bloody body disposal. This makes for an oddly structured film with three sort of likable roommates who get into a situation way over their heads. It is a combo of dark comedy and off-screen mayhem and bloodshed that had me a little confused.
The three best buddies are dramatically different from each other, making me wonder if they would even be friends. Nicole's reticence, Ruby's over-the-top free-spirit and Elise's confusion of life make for strange bedfellows and I am not sure I believe it. Of the three, Ruby is the one most full of life and, when she arrives home all bloodied, you want just desserts received. The way they go about it makes for the second half.
The Forge releases "The Balconettes" in NY, LA and Toronto on 8/22/25. The film will platform to additional markets including Boston, Houston and Columbus in the weeks to follow.
