The Crime Is Mine

Set in 1930s Paris, The Crime Is Mine follows Madeleine Verdier, a charming but financially strapped aspiring actress whose star has yet to rise. When a legendary producer is killed, she becomes the prime suspect in a case that looks unwinnable. Her childhood friend Pauline Mauléon, a young lawyer without a steady paycheck, steps in to defend her. They craft a defense centered on self defense, a clever turn that buys Madeleine a pardon and a new life in the glare of illumination. Fame arrives quickly and with it invitations, tabloids, and a crowded social scene that tests loyalties. Yet whispers persist, hinting that the surface gloss may hide a more troubling truth.

Directed by François Ozon and released in 2023, it reimagines a stage piece by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil, adapted for the screen by Philippe Piazzo. The production embraces a witty theatrical sensibility that suits Ozon's style.

Box Office: Worldwide gross of 10,436,638 dollars against a budget of 13,700,000 dollars, illustrating a modest international release for a talky period piece. The ensemble features Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Rebecca Marder, Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, and Dany Boon.

Reception and themes: Critics note a sharp, stylish blend of crime and comedy with a retro vibe. The film probes fame and performance, the cost of storytelling, and who controls the truth, anchored by strong performances from Isabelle Huppert and Nadia Tereszkiewicz.