Huppert is mistress of the blank surface that conceals bottomless
neuroses, capable of wandering zombie-like through a film,
suggesting intense self-hatred with the faintest quiver of the lips.
But she's equally good at grounding a movie, playing more balanced,
loving, open-hearted characters. She once looked like she could be as
internationally successful as Catherine Deneuve before her or
Juliette Binoche later. Instead, she's remained dedicated to working
with auteur directors, racking up an impressive roster of
uncompromising art-house roles: serial collaborations with Godard
and Chabrol; English-language appearances in Cimino's Heaven's Gate
and Hartley's Amateur. She's still got it - her most recent directors
are Michael Haneke and Francois Ozon.
