According to IMDb trivia, "Docteur Popaul" was Claude Chabrol's biggest commercial hit in France up to that point in time, however Chabrol himself probably wasn't too pleased with how his little experiment in comedy turned out, since he rarely attempted it again for the rest of his long career. The laughs are few and far between (a dream sequence with Belmondo playing multiple roles is an interesting idea that doesn't really come off), and what's worse, for most of the running time the story doesn't seem to have a point; when it introduces an elaborate deception near the end, it hardly seems worth the wait. Still, any movie that features (even fleeting) nudity from the incredible Laura Antonelli can't be ALL bad! ** out of 4.

Claude Chabrol's "Docteur Popaul" aka. "High Heels" of 1972 is a fun little black comedy starring Jean Paul Belmondo, Mia Farrow and Laura Antonelli, and although it is certainly no masterpiece, the movie is well worth seeing. As far as I am considered Belmondo is always worth the time, and "Docteur Popaul" has enough black humor to remain entertaining throughout its 100 minutes.Paul Simay (Belmondo), a student of medicine and player who prefers ugly women since he doesn't trust the beautiful, makes a bet with his drinking buddies: They are to meet again after a year, and the guy who has managed to sleep with the ugliest woman in the meantime is the winner. Paul wins the bet, and decides to go on a journey. In Tunisia he runs into shy Christine (Mia Farrow, with 'ugly'-make up), who has a handicap - she limps, and seduces her. When they run into each other again in France, and Paul finds out that her father is the head of a local clinic, he proposes to her. But Christine has a sister, the gorgeous Martine (Laura Antonelli), and Martine has a bunch of idiotic adorers...If you like dark humor, you should give "Docteur Popaul" a try. The movie remains entertaining from the beginning to the end and has some hilarious moments. Belmondo is cool as always, and beautiful Laura Antonelli is a treat for the eyes. A quite original little black comedy, "Docteur Popaul" is an amusing film with a fine portion of black humor, that should not leave its viewers bored. Recommended. 6/10

At the time ,Chabrol was producing movies at an alarming speed .And that period is still looked upon as his very best:"la femme infidèle" "le boucher" "que la bête meure" "la rupture" and "les noces rouges" are unqualified musts for any Chabrol fan.Two works took a divergent road in this golden era: "la decade prodigieuse " was a failed (but not completely wretched) attempt at transferring one of Ellery Queen's absorbing books to the screen .And then "Docteur Popaul" which is from Hubert Monteilhet's "meurtres à loisirs" .Monteilhet writes thrillers which sometimes recall Boileau-Narcejac ("Diabolique" "Vertigo" )but he introduces a sense of humor and a certain bad taste not present in the works of the writers I mention above.Chabrol has given a totally true rendering of Monteilhet atmosphere:the set up,the grotesque characters (particularly a made look ugly Mia Farrow :why her anyway?The director had to dub her in French ).The conclusion ,like in any Monteilhet's book, is immoral to a fault.But deliciously immoral.

A delightful black comedy which is quite unlikely ever to be re-made by Hollywood, it is just too cynical about beauty and love and marriage and family and medicine and murder. Jean-Paul Belmondo plays the title hero, ever in pursuit of ugly women (which incidentally furthers his career) until the sight of his sister-in-law, played by Laura Antonelli, make him change his priorities. It is amazing how Belmondo manages to stay likable while his character's actions are thoroughly objectionable throughout - it probably helps that his adversaries are not such terrific people themselves.