La peau de chagrin (2010)

(TV movie)

Based on the novel by Honoré de Balzac, first published in 1831.

Raphael is a penniless young aspiring author who, while in an antique shop -- which he entered with the intention of buying a gun for suicidal purposes --, receives from the shop's owner a donkey's skin with magical properties: it grants its owner's every wish, claiming in return a bit of his remaining time of life. To every granted wish would ensue a shrinking of the skin. This would ultimately lead to the owner's death. Raphael accepts the skin and obtains many of his cherished wishes: he becomes a famous author, receives a large amount of money from a distant relative, and sleeps with a woman he desired. However, happiness is an elusive beast. Furthermore, the shrinking of the skin is a constant reminder of his impending doom.

This is well-made, with good production design and cinematography, and a nicely-flowing narrative, as well as adequate acting by everyone involved. The problem is the story itself, a variation on the Faust theme which has all the predictable elements one usually attaches to it, and hardly any surprise. Even so, it is an easy watch.

Rating: 46