Dark Crimes

This is a very well-shot, interestingly cast, suspense-free, empty exploitation film. First and foremost, its aim is to titillate and shock with images and stories of women being sexually humiliated. Despite being based on an actual case, Dark Crimes isn't really a detective story. Tadek does little actual detecting, which is particularly unrewarding as the case winds down. Veteran viewers will sniff out most of the story's twists long before the film presents them as "amazing" revelations. The corruption thread is barely explored or explained, and the relationships, except for one, are no more than gestures. It is attention-grabbing to see Carrey in such a grim role, but even his character is opaque -- Tadek's motivations, emotional responses, etc., like everything else in the film, are only hinted at, not experienced. The intended cat-and-mouse game with Csokas never materializes.

And poor Gainsbourg. She's an intelligent, brave actress whose talents are squandered here. Vlad Ivanov, who was unforgettable in the brilliant Four Months, Three Weeks and Two Days, is also utterly wasted in a small role as a probably too-helpful official. The film is of the "Tsk tsk, pooh pooh, look at this" school of morality, a Puritanical exercise in decrying rape and sexual humiliation while putting plenty of it on display. Notably, only attractive women are the victims/objects. As there's nothing to figure out and no characters or dialogue to intrigue audiences, there's little left to this film besides exploitation.