Bluebeard

This new film, from Catherine Breillat, is really rather good. Not that it is any kind of great masterwork, but it is simply that, rather good.
The especially nice thing about it is the way it looks. The contrast of the tiny heroine, (terrific Lola Creton) and the huge ogre is at once humanely sweet and nicely mired in an alternate fantasy universe. In fact, the central relationship is genuinely very touching. Even the conclusion has a nice reticence about it.
Part of the happiness ('joy' would be a little strong) of this relationship is how simple it is kept; a straightforward little fable. The framing device is rather necessary to add to the time (as is the long build up), and is fitfully rather good, though the real interest is the central story of Bluebeard.
Thematically, we have an interesting question as far as the constructs of feminism, in the idea that even the 'good male' may have their secrets, and women's thus necessary ambivalence towards any male. The framing device's last scene is a strong one, but no disaster.
The last scene of the Bluebeard story is well shot, as is the whole film. Not magnificent, just some curious images of clothes swaddled women, waiting.
So, not 100% perfect, but largely succesful. A nice little pleasure.