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Surprises With Every Twist And Turn – The Balconettes (London Film Festival 2024)

Noemie Merlant, Sandra Codreanu and Souheila Yacoub in The Balconettes.

Image: © BFI

Mixing genres in film is always an exciting approach, especially if the subject is darker and needs a fresh take. Director and co-writer Noémie Merlant said that she had originally set out to write a love story but ended up with The Balconettes. Though, she also pointed out, there is a love story within the film, one of female friendship. At its core, the film broaches a darker subject, but in order not to sink the characters into despair, comedy with a bit of supernatural weirdness balances the story and ultimately creates that fresh take that is needed.

During a heatwave, three friends in living in Marseille find themselves cooped up in their apartment. Across the way, they observe a mysterious handsome man. Through a few dramatic and comedic errors, the three of them find themselves in the man's apartment for drinks. But later that night, one of the friends returns home covered in blood and the three women find themselves living out a nightmare.

The Balconettes sets itself up to be a Rear Window-esque thriller with an opening shot of going into people's homes, people looking out of windows, sunbathing on balconies, and trying to survive the heat. The camera eventually settles on the main character's neighbour's balcony. There we witness a glimpse of what seems to be long standing domestic abuse, but with the wife finally taking revenge. This is a prelude of what is to be expected for the main portion of the film. A promise of real-life horror with a comedic tone and satisfying outcome, even if that outcome results in a bloody mess.

This intriguing beginning then drifts conveniently into introducing our heroines. The three friends; sexually open cam-girl Ruby, struggling writer and fantasy prone Nicole with frustrated erratic actress Eloise making up the trio. Each of the women make their presence felt in the film, while also navigating their own personal journey. The scenes involving all three friends are the most electrifying, even after the horrific event in the mystery man's home, there is still fun to be had. The comedic moments and at times, insane story beats, such as when Nicole realises, she can see ghosts, in particular ghosts of abusive men, is when The Balconettes tips over into more than just a story about abuse. Not wanting to focus on the horror that women experience at the hands of men, the light hearted approach blended in with the trauma makes the film, dare you say it, easier to digest and enjoy the questionable actions by the main characters.

The acknowledgment that other women are experiencing the same horrific things is done so perfectly in a comedic moment that both hits home and makes you laugh out loud. The film almost comes off, in particular towards the end, as a celebration of women overcoming pain and literally letting go. Throughout the film, in the background, women act freer; dancing on the beach naked, walking around topless with friends and just behaving without a care in the world. These moments also seem to happen once the woman have disposed of their problems, this sense of letting go and refusing to be bogged down with guilt is uplifting.

With three fantastic leads and an empowering second feature from Noémie Merlant, The Balconettes, could very much have been a predictable and enjoyable comedy, but ultimately surprises with every twist and turn.

The Balconettes screened at the BFI .