11 January 2008

It's hard to be sure if French thrillers are increasing in number or UK distributors are becoming more aware of them, but in the wake of Them (Ils), Satan (Shetan), Tell No One (Ne Le Dis A Personne) and The Page Turner (La Tourneuse de pages) we have two more examples up for a UK DVD release in the coming two months, both from UK distributor Metrodome (you can read about their upcoming release of The Serpent here).

First up is Anna M, a psychological thriller starring up and coming French star Isabelle Carre, who gives an extraordinary performance as the fragile and disillusioned title character.

Anna M is a shy, gentle young woman who is industrious at work and pleasant to her colleagues but somehow convinces herself that a happily married doctor is in love with her. Every move this man makes, even his most virulent denials, are interpreted by Anna as evidence of his love. Carried away by her obsession, nothing can undermine her conviction. Possessed by this imaginary love, Anna starts to glow and respond to what she perceives as the doctor's 'advances'. She follows him, spies on him, steals his mail, writes to him, gives him gifts and calls him at all hours, night and day. But Anna's hope is followed by disappointment, resentment, then hate...and then the real nightmare begins.

Described as "marrow-chilling" and "frighteningly good" by The Independent, it's Carre's powerhouse central performance that lifts the film above its potential 'French Fatal Attraction' label.

Anna M will be released on UK DVD by Metrodome on 18th February 2008 at the RRP of £15.99. There's no news yet of screen ratio, sound or extras, although in the case of the latter it looks very much like there aren't any.