Trois Nouvelles.

Author(s): Daniel Crooke
Location: Ohio

"trois nouvelles."

Produced by: Tim Burton and Quentin Tarantino
Directed by: Frank Darabont
Screenplay by: Akiva Goldsman

Principal Cast:

Kiefer Sutherland as Sanger Rainsford
Michael Caine as General Zarloff
Ving Rhames as Ivan
Laura Linney as Mrs. Hutchinson
Jim Broadbent as James 'Old Man' Warner
William Sadler as Mr. Summers
Jennifer Tilly as Woman
James Whitmore as Old Man
Michael Madsen as Policeman
Samuel L. Jackson as Policeman

Tagline: “Three classic stories of the inner human instinct"

Synopsis: Three classic short stories revealing the inner human instinct. Some call it survival of the fittest. Some call it inhumane. Some say it is bound to happen. Based off of the short stories “The Most Dangerous Game”, “The Lottery”, and “The Tell-Tale Heart”, “trois nouvelles.” tells the story of each one, intertwining and overlapping each other throughout the film. The real question regarding the stories is: Fact or Fiction? Is this the true instinct of man, or is it merely a false method of entertainment?

Sanger Rainsford shivered as a gust of cold wind spread through the cave. Rainsford knew two things; he was lost on an island and he was waiting in fear for General Zarloff to leave his mansion to hunt him down. Rainsford thought about everything that had happened so far: he had fallen off his ship and wandered onto a deserted island. He soon encountered the main predators of the island: General Zarloff and his servant Ivan. Zarloff was a hunter who hunted humans because of his general boredom of the common animal. Zarloff and Rainsford had struck a deal. Rainsford would be the prey and if Rainsford didn’t die then Zarloff would greatly reward him. If Rainsford had refused the deal, Zarloff would have killed him. So, Rainsford left that morning. Zarloff followed the next day. After the first two days, nothing happened. On the third, Rainsford and Zarloff crossed paths. Rainsford tricked Zarloff. He faked his own death by jumping off a cliff. What Zarloff didn’t know is that Rainsford had actually ran another corner right by the cliff and hid himself from sight. Rainsford then crept up to Zarloff’s mansion. Zarloff, thinking Rainsford was dead, was surprised to see him. Zarloff said that the two would duel and the winner would sleep in Zarloff’s bed while the other lay dead. “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.”

Mrs. Hutchinson ran quickly to the town square for she was late for the lottery! Mr. Summers was still collecting each family’s slip of paper with their name on it. Relieved, she walked over to Old Man Warner to see what he was thinking. He told her that some towns had gotten rid of the lottery, which was news that made both of them very unhappy. While she chatted happily with the other wives, Mr. Summers started the lottery. It was to Mrs. Hutchinson’s surprise when Mr. Summers pulled the slip of paper that said “HUTCHINSON”. Mrs. Hutchinson yelled at Mr. Summers, telling him how he had cheated with the drawing. After being calmed down, Mr. Summers gave each member of the Hutchinson family a slip of paper. All three of her children had opened theirs, all blank, Mrs. Hutchinson became increasingly nervous. She was shaking fiercely when her husband opened his slip of paper. It was blank. Mrs. Hutchinson opened hers. It had a large black spot. One by one, the villagers crowded around her. Mrs. Hutchinson began to scream and yell until a stone hit her on the side of her head. More followed. “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,” Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and they were upon her.”

Working for the old man was one of the nicest jobs someone could ever have. He was very nice, paid well, smelled like peppermints, and was extremely friendly…which is why it was almost madness that the woman who took care of him hated him. It wasn’t that he was mean to her. No, it was because of his eye. His eye haunted the woman day and night. It sent chills up her spine and drove her to madness. Eventually, the woman decided that she had to murder the old man. So, one night she crept up to his room with a lantern and a knife. She snuck behind his bed. When the clock struck midnight, she stabbed the old man thirteen times. The old man screamed, but the woman muffled the sound. The woman first, carefully, took the eye and buried it. Then, she carefully “disposed” of his body by hiding it in the floorboards of his room. The doorbell rang. It was two policemen who had come over on account of a complaint about a scream from the house. The woman told them that the old man was on vacation in the country. Thump. The woman heard a noise that sounded like a deep bass drum. Thump thump. This time, the woman heard that it was coming from the upstairs. She jokingly asked the policemen if they heard the sound. They denied it. Thump. Even louder than before. Then, the woman knew what it was. The old man’s heart. Thump Thump. The woman was going mad by the sound. The guilt was rising up through her body. Thump. She thought the police were mocking her as they kept denying the sound. Thump Thump. “‘Villains!’, she shrieked, “dissemble no more! I admit the deed! Tear up the planks! Here! Here is the beating of his hideous heart!’”

What the press would say:

“trois nouvelles.” is an interesting and thought provoking film. If you have not heard of Frank Darabont’s new film, this is what it is about. It is loosely based on three classic short stories, “The Most Dangerous Game”, “The Lottery”, and “The Tell-Tale Heart”. The film delves into the question of human instinct and whether or not these stories have any truth to base them off of. Not literally if the stories happened, but if this kind of human instinct is possible. Anyway, this is a great film. Although extremely strange, it is excellent. The film is very wisely not campaigning in the leading roles, since there are not really any clear leads. The film has the best chance in the Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress categories. Jennifer Tilly shines in her extremely psychological role as the “Woman”. The section of the film telling “The Tell-Tale Heart” is told from her point of view, which proves to be interesting. The way she plays the role is just so incredible and innovative. It is the performance of her career and will probably pick up the Oscar, as she was raved in Toronto and she has already picked up the Golden Globe. Michael Caine is also excellent as the twisted General Zarloff. Although he has not won any awards this season, he has been nominated for most of the precursors. Overall, you can tell this is produced by Burton and Tarantino and it is an excellent duo. “trois nouvelles.” is an awesome experience with a Best Picture nomination coming its way.

Nominations

Best Picture- Tim Burton and Quentin Tarantino
Best Director- Frank Darabont
Best Supporting Actor- Michael Caine
Best Supporting Actress- Jennifer Tilly
Best Adapted Screenplay- Akiva Goldsman
Best Film Editing