WHO KILLED BAMBI?
Directed by: Gilles Marchand.
Produced by: Caroline Benjo & Carole Scotta.
Written by: Gilles Marchand & Vincent Dietschy.
Director of Photography: Pierre Milon.
Edited by: Robin Campillo.
Music by: Doc Matéo, et al.
Released by: Strand Releasing.
Language: French with English subtitles.
Country of Origin: France. 126 min. Not Rated.
With: Sophie Quinton, Laurent Lucas, Catherine Jacob & Yasmine Belmadi.

The Hippocratic Oath is turned on its head in this disturbing, hospital-set thriller. Petite, soft-spoken nursing student Isabelle (the appropriately doe-eyed Sophie Quinton) is nicknamed "Bambi" by the handsome Dr. Philipp because, like the Walt Disney character, she can't stand on her own legs. Her reoccurring dizzy spells are caused by a deformity in her inner ear. Dr. Philipp, played with a Joaquin Phoenix-like intensity by Laurent Lucas, is treated with God-like reference by his staff. However in his late night rounds, he preys upon medicated female patients. Diluted medication, a missing patient, and the mysterious death of a 20-year-old woman lead the frail Isabelle on her own investigation.

There are many scenes of great suspense, thanks to the fact that the audience knows more than Isabelle and that the gore and violence is kept off-screen. However, the pacing and somber tone may be off-putting and seem as sterile as an operating room when the behavior of the unprepossessing Isabelle takes a morbid turn. As a result, the life-or-death urgency is a bit muted. Her behavior becomes the mystery, though the suspense doesn't let up. Perhaps not since 1978's Coma has a hospital stay been scarier. Kent Turner
November 10, 2004