While Director Brian De Palma's latest film, "FEMME FATALE," has generally been panned, one's got to give him credit for one thing, courage!  He's not afraid to try things, that by their very nature, invite criticism.  The film's first part revolves around a diamond heist, with the backdrop of the Cannes Film Festival. Laure(Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) has lures a sexy model, Veronica, into the bathroom of a theater for a sexual encounter.  The rest of her crime group are busy elsewhere. When Laure returns to Paris, she becomes the target of one of her angy gang members, as well as the victim of mistaken identity.  Apparently, she resembles a woman named Lily, whom has recently lost her husband and child. Also, enter Antonio Banderas as a celebrity photographer hooked on the images he snaps of her.  Laure, needing to escape with the loot she's diverted welcomes the new identity and uses it to make it to America, marry and start a new life. However, when her husband's work brings them back to Paris, tensions and suspense resurface as she must deal with a life-threatening situation.

De Palma's script, as with his previous efforts, tend to make things needlessly convoluted.  But, his incredible gift at cinematically telling a story, even an overly complex one, more than makes up for the film's other flaws. 

In "FEMME FATALE," De Palma uses "all" of his well known techniques, almost to the point of wild abandon!  There are plenty of split-screen shots, as well as the Hitchcockian camera movements, he's always seemed to revel in.  De Palma is also willing to take chances with actors.  While some had criticized Travolta's abilities, he proved himself with the terrific performance he gave in De Palma's "BLOW OUT."  Here, De Palma uses Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. And, while it would be easy to assume she's just another pretty model thrown into a film ala "Cindy Crawford," she's actually quite good here, displaying a wide range of abilities, and even excels in some scenes that could have easily become unintentionally laughable.  

WARNER BROS. has provided a wonderful transfer! The film's correct 1.85:1 aspect ratio, has been retained, with 16:9 enhancement.  There's impeccable detail in every instance, and De Palma's love for close-ups further demonstrates the clarity achieved here.  Contrast is also excellent, with extremely deep blacks and grays.  Colors are rich and vibrant for virtually the entire film.  Fleshtones appear natural throughout.

WARNER BROS. has provided a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, which while not loaded with surround moments, is still creative and effective.  De Palma uses the 5.1 mix to emphasize the film's terrific score, not accidentally reminiscent of the Bernard Herrmann scores created for Hitchcock. There's also a surprising amount of bass, enhancing the thrilling atmosphere even more.  Dialogue is always intelligible and free from distortion. 

WARNER BROS. has provided four featurettes. Two of them, "VISUALIZING FEMME FATALE," and "FEMME FATALE: AN  APPRECIATION," both explore De Palma's use of various storytelling techniques and it's as entertaining as it is educational. 

"FEMME FATALE: DRESSED TO KILL," is a very brief montage of stills and scenes, meant to define Stamos' image in the film.  "BEHIND THE SCENES," is basically a promotional fluff piece, offering a bit too many plot-spoilers for those who've not yet seen the film.