Betty Blue looks gorgeous. Of course, as an erotic film, there’s the beauty of the female form, but Jean-Jacques Beineix frames each moment in excellently lit, colorful frames, making each sunkissed scene a pleasure for the eyes. His approach, alongside that of Luc Besson and Leos Carax, have formed a movement titled Cinéma du look, and inspired plenty of films due to how gorgeous this style looks. But frankly, the style is the only thing that makes Betty Blue watchable, as the plot plays out with the usual aspiring artist, whose talents are recognized by stunning beauties that somehow turn insane for no reason and thus become future muses for their work. We’d hate to be that guy’s girlfriend.

It’s definitely unrealistic to have so many pretty women turn insane in late 20th century films, but the idea of it is so memorable because of how beautifully framed these women are. Béatrice Dalle is so striking in her debut, in part to Beineix’s direction, but also in part to how unhinged she can go… But there are better roles, better uses of her talent, than this.