Vice and Virtue

Vice and Virtue, directed by cinematic powerhouse Roger Vadim in 1963, is a French drama exploring the dark underbelly of Nazi occupation and the moral complexities of survival during the Second World War. The film features compelling performances by Annie Girardot, Robert Hossein, and a young Catherine Deneuve, captivating the audience with their powerful portrayals of characters intertwined in both personal and political strife.

In Vice and Virtue, Vadim offers a stark portrayal of the moral and ethical challenges that emerge from the societal breakdown during wartime. He presents a unique depiction of occupied France amid the backdrop of World War II, steering clear from typical war films' battlefield and focuses instead on the human drama arising from the conflict. The film's screenplay, inspired by the iconic libertine French novel "Justine" by Marquis de Sade, adds an element of perversion and threatened innocence to the central plot, offering an unconventional take on the war drama genre.

Annie Girardot delivers a remarkable performance as Juliette, embodying the "vice" in the film's title. She is a morally flawed woman who, in her desperate quest for survival, becomes a collaborator and the mistress of a powerful and cruel Nazi officer. Girardot excels in showcasing the contradictions within Juliette, painting a picture of a woman who is as vulnerable as she is ambitious, oscillating between a desire for survival and achieving a comfortable life amid the surrounding chaos. Her complex relationship with Robert Hossein's character, who portrays a high-ranking, spine-chilling SS officer, deepens the narrative and mirrors the narrative's overarching theme of compromised morality in wartime.

In stark contrast, Catherine Deneuve portrays Justine, the virtuous sister, who is just as trapped in the turbulence of war. At the time, this movie was one of Deneuve's earliest roles, and she played it masterfully, illustrating her character's heartbreaking struggle with an unnerving calm and purity. Justine's life takes a dark turn when she, along with other young women, is apprehended by the German forces and sent to an Austrian brothel designed for the pleasure of officers. Her tale is poignant and agonizing, providing a heart-wrenching insight into the unspeakable horrors faced by many innocent women during the dreadful era.

Vadim's directorial prowess is apparent throughout Vice and Virtue, as he skillfully handles the intricacies of the narrative, directing the audience's attention to the stories of the two sisters amid the larger historical context. He does not succumb to sentimentalism, presenting a raw, gritty view of war and its aftermath. The dialogues are crisp and poignant, elevating the performances, and the war-inflicted Parisian and Austrian landscapes presented are just as hauntingly beautiful as they are grim and austere.

Distinct from many other war films, Vice and Virtue also delves deeply into the nuances of female experiences during conflicts — a lens often overlooked. The film breaks stereotypes by focusing on two female protagonists who are given layers and depth, rather than confining them to the margins as passive participants. It reflects the harsh and cruel realities, addressing the hauntingly minute and personal aspects of the war. The unspoken, dark desires, the dire circumstances leading to the high price for survival, and the echoing impacts on psyche are explored through the narrative.

Vice and Virtue is far more than a wringing WWII drama; it is a study in humanity and the lengths to which people will go to secure their survival. The performances by Annie Girardot, Robert Hossein, and a young Catherine Deneuve are truly captivating, each embodying their character's essence with utmost sincerity and skill. However, the star of the show remains the narrative itself — loaded with the severity of war's impact portrayed through the lens of de Sade's work. Functioning as a moral tale, the movie ultimately illuminifies the manifold forms of strength and resilience, and the interplay between vice and virtue, as the world around them descends into chaos. This film is a must-watch for those who appreciate thought-provoking cinema and seek more than mere entertainment from film narratives.