Arresto preventivo

A beautiful French mistress who will enchant you every time you see her. A simple premise that the French worked into an absolutely brilliant drama. Lino Ventura and Michel Serrault do not act in this movie, they live it. So much happens in a single room over a relatively short span of 86 minutes that you’d hardly find it in any other movie. Everything is connected by wonderful filmmaking, representing the absolutely exemplary France of the 1980s. (26.04.2014)

There is power in simplicity. And here it stems from, among other things, the fact that, despite the initial impression, the crime story is an afterthought. (14.12.2012)

Only a few hours remain until midnight on New Year's Eve, and the nightlife in Paris is picking up speed. While alcohol levels are rising elsewhere, tension is building at the police station. Two men against each other, two completely different goals. One asks questions and relentlessly pushes his opponent into a corner. The other evades, dodges, and spins. Two dead children force the police to work even during somewhat unusual times. It is a matter of time before the witness becomes the accused... How long will it take for him to realize that he won't escape from this trap? The Grilling is much closer to a psychological drama than a classic crime story. The overwhelming majority of the time takes place indoors, and polished dialogues take the lead. The drama relies on the names and acting of three famous film stars of its time and I would say it also relies on the screenplay, but a flawlessly functioning story leads to a logical short circuit in the end, which unfortunately diminishes the impact of the film and undermines the point. As interesting and compelling as its idea is, it wouldn't work like this in reality. Overall impression: 70%. (21.01.2014)

The penultimate film featuring Romy Schneider is first and foremost a solo by the Ventura/Serrault duo. While the two suggestively act out their interrogation, Romy comes across as a Deus ex machina, and although she only has one scene of her own and a few small shots that follow, they overshadow the entire film. That is how Romy was and that is how she will always remain in the memories of the audience and those close to her. (09.05.2011)

Good old France doesn't disappoint. The two masters simply sat down at the table and, just as if they were sitting at pianos, played a concert that takes your breath away. Five unquestionable stars. (14.02.2011)

An excellent demonstration of French skills in the crime thriller genre. Lino Ventura is excellent here as a detective, where you're not sure if he's brilliant or just missed the mark. The interrogation - just one - has a great development and essentially, you won't stay calm for a moment because you have no idea where it's heading. (25.08.2017)