Diabolique (1996)

Woof!  DIABOLIQUE reminds me of those activity-book pages that I 
used to love-- the ones titled "what's wrong with this picture?"  
So many problems surface in this failed French-film remake that 
it's difficult to know where to start!  The tone is the worst-- an 
overly oppressive mood that lands with an almost-audible thud.  The 
characters then play too close to camp, which is probably the best 
way to take this tabloid-worthy tale of a wife (Isabelle Adjani) 
and a mistress (Sharon Stone) who conspire to kill their husband/
lover (Chazz Palminteri).  Try this for dialogue:  "If it's all the 
same to you, I'd rather not hang for fried chicken."   No, not as 
good-bad as SHOWGIRLS, but close.  Very close.  The defining moment 
comes at the end, when Stone and Adjani are finishing some business 
in the shallow end of a swimming pool.  Cut to an underwater shot 
of their struggle and both actresses are still wearing heels.  
Ouch. (Rated "R"/107 min.)

Grade: D+

Copyright 1996 by Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies