"Under the Sand"
Marie (Charlotte Rampling) and Jean (Bruno Cremer) have been married for 25 years and, to the entire world, appear to be quite happy together. While vacationing at their summer home at Lit en Mix in southern France, Jean decides to go for a swim. When, a little later, Marie turns to look for him, he is nowhere to be found. A frantic search turns up nothing and Marie returns home convinced, in her mind, that her husband is still alive in "Under the Sand."
Charlotte Rampling commands the screen with her character study of a woman walking the fine line between madness and sanity. The shock over the disappearance of her husband drives her into a world of denial as she carries on with her life, believing that Jean is still with her. When out with friends, she talks of him in the present tense. When shopping for herself, she picks out a tie that she thinks he would like. Her friends, especially best friend Amanda (Alexandra Stewart), fear for her sanity.
Marie undergoes a continuous struggle between acceptance and denial over the loss of Jean. Her friends realize her conflict and do what they can to help, but Marie's denial is too strong for anyone, even Amanda, to break through to her. When she meets Vincent (Jacques Nolot), it appears that she may, finally, accept he loss and get on with her life. But, Jean's hold on her is too strong and she continues to live in her own delusional world.
Rampling gives an unabashed performance as a woman on the brink of madness. The mental turmoil she undergoes is plainly evident on her face as her mind battles between denial over Jean's disappearance and acceptance of the fact. Director Francois Ozon uses the actress's exotic looks and expressive features to show the fight taking place within her mind. The actress lays it all on the line and gives a notable performance. The rest of the cast does well enough fleshing out the background, but it is Rampling's film from beginning to end.
Madness is a tough subject matter for film and could be a turn off for the viewer. Films like "Diary of a Mad Housewife" (1970) gave a no holds barred look into the frightening world of mental illness and are harsh in that depiction. "Under the Sand" has the same relentless grip, but with an oddly hopeful feel. Marie is a likable, complex and beautiful character that deserves happiness and continues to live in he deluded world where Jean still exists, alive and well. Rampling's stunning performance makes you want to believe she is sane, even as she falls deeper and deeper into her psychosis.
Charlotte Rampling's performance, alone, is worth the price of admission to "Under the Sand." I give it a B.
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