Les Cousins (1959)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Les Cousins (1959) -- C. Chabrol

When one studious cousin moves from the provinces to Paris, he is treated to some late 50s bohemian decadence by the other playboy cousin (and the long party scenes are handled surprisingly well here by Claude Chabrol). This is more than a good meets evil story (although that is part of it) because there is also somedesire for transference (or wish fulfillment) on the part of both cousins and the result of their sustained contact is unpredictable. As with many of the early New Wave films, there is an exuberant freshness here (even as tension and loathing mount).