“Act of Aggression” (“L’Agression”) is a 1975 French thriller film directed by Gérard Pirès. The film stars Jean-Louis Trintignant, Catherine Deneuve, Claude Brasseur, and Philippe Brizard.
The film begins with Paul Varlin (Jean-Louis Trintignant), a successful architect, as they travel to go on their family vacation. He is joined by his wife, Sarah (Catherine Deneuve), and their young daughter, Cécile (Laurence Bru). While driving through a remote area, the family encounters a violent motorbike gang led by Roland (Claude Brasseur). The gang forces them off the road, and what starts as a robbery quickly escalates into a brutal attack. Paul is beaten and left for dead, while Sarah is sexually assaulted, it is discovered later that in among the chaos their daughter Cécile was killed.
Paul survives the assault, but the traumatic experience leaves deep psychological scars on him and his family. Sarah is devastated and emotionally withdrawn, struggling to cope with the horror of the attack and the death of their daughter. Paul, consumed by feelings of guilt and helplessness, becomes obsessed with seeking revenge against the perpetrators.
Determined to take justice into his own hands, Paul begins his quest to track down the gang members. He conducts his own investigation, using his skills and resources to piece together clues and locate the attackers. His obsession with vengeance starts to strain his relationship with Sarah, who fears for his safety and sanity. Paul eventually finds Roland and the gang. In a tense and dramatic confrontation, Paul confronts Roland, who remains unrepentant for his actions. The encounter culminates in a violent showdown, where Paul is forced to confront the moral and ethical implications of his desire for revenge.
The film’s conclusion explores the aftermath of Paul’s actions and the impact on his psyche. The violent retribution he sought does not bring the closure or peace he hoped for. Instead, it leaves him grappling with the realization that violence begets more violence, and that true healing and justice cannot be achieved through vengeance alone.
The Other Cinema 