Joy House

Handsome gigolo in Paris, on the run from murderous thugs hired by the husband of one his conquests, takes refuge at a religious shelter; there, he meets and becomes employed by a wealthy, mysterious widow who lives in a neo-gothic castle on the Riviera. Why she picked him to be her chauffeur--and why she orders two identical uniforms for him--is just part of the mystery. Director René Clément keeps this skeletons-in-the-closet adaptation of Day Keene's novel twisty and engrossing, with incredulous Alain Delon in constant jeopardy. Lola Albright is intriguing as his benefactor, while young Jane Fonda is wry and funny as Lola's sex-starved cousin in lust with Delon (who struggles with his English, though this is shrugged off with amusing swagger). Flashy technique, expressive black-and-white cinematography by Henri Decaë, lovely score by Lalo Schifrin, and many clever turns of the screw. *** from ****