Oh, some things do pop up, as Chabrol tries to adapt Greek-tragedy themes to the mystery genre. The movie is about two families, the Vasseurs and the Charpins; the Vasseur men seem to be perpetually drawn to the Charpin women despite the families' sharing a scandalous history. That history is brought to the fore when Anne Charpin-Vasseur (Nathalie Baye) runs for mayor, and a foe publishes a leaflet detailing the families' sins all the way to the beginning of World War II.

The Flower of Evil has hints of those sins as Anne's husband (Bernard Lecoq) philanders, while his son Francois (Benoit Magimel) indulges his mutual infatuation with stepsister Michele (Melanie Doutey). Tying the families together is Aunt Line (Suzanne Flon), who may have murder in her past and who figures into the movie's climax.

It's only in the climax -- the last 20 minutes, really -- that the movie comes to life, though. Before that, we get a lot of talk, and a movie so scriptbound -- despite all the restless tracking shots -- that it seems to be better suited to the stage than the screen. Patient viewers might find the downbeat ending worth the wait, but by the time it rolls around, most of us will be shaking off sleep.