By Joanne Sargent
Special to the Observer
Masquerade (Mascarade), our next Film Society movie, begins with a quote from W. Somerset Maugham: “The French Riviera is a sunny place for shady people.” This film about crime, passion and betrayal definitely proves that statement.
Adrien and Margot are two people who, on the strength of their looks, prowl The Riviera, its wealthy aging inhabitants their prey. Adrien is a gigolo whose present meal ticket is Martha, formerly a renowned French actress. Margot, a beautiful woman who is always on the hunt for rich, older men, makes her living as an escort, con artist and thief. The two meet and are mutually attracted.
They see deception as their exit from their current “professions” and a life of luxury together, so they hatch a plan with a high-end real estate agent, Simon, identified as the perfect mark for their scam. As predicted, Simon initially falls for Margot’s charms, but unexpectedly he rejects her, which sends the once innocent scheme spiralling out of control.
The consequences of their thwarted plan play out in cutaways to a courtroom in which Simon is on trial, so it’s safe to assume that whatever could have gone wrong, did. Testimony in the trial, with flashbacks, explanations and motivations, pulls all the confusing pieces together, including the double cross and, oh yes, the shooting.
Masquerade is a fast-paced and complex story in which everyone is on the make and is corrupted by their desires. Subtitled, it plays at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 3 at the Classic.
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