Coup de torchon (1981)

Being a cop can be a tough and thankless job if you are the only white constable, responsible for the law and order of the entire riverfront village of Bourkassa in French West Africa of 1938. Such is the fate of the sole patrolman of Clean Slate (1981), also known as Coup de torchon (1981). Based on Jim Thompson’s novel “Pop. 1280” (1964), this French film follows Lucien Cordier (Philippe Noiret), an outnumbered copper stripped of his authority. As such, he’s unfairly confronted by a revolting and degraded array of human garbage. The river is full of bloated bodies floating seaward from random insurgencies upstream. Smugglers, moonshiners, gunrunners, pimps, and whores — all of them treat the beleaguered sheriff as if he is their personal manservant. That is until he begins systematically killing them off one by one. As for killer curves, check out the round buns on Isabelle Huppert at the 50-minute mark. As Rose, she’ll make the members on audience members rise when she bares her breasts and bush in bed later in the movie. In other words, it’d be a crime not to appreciate the nudity in this crime flick! Indeed, naked babe Irène Skobline teaches flesh fans a thing or two via her portrayal of Annie the teacher. This is especially true when the topless hottie steams up the screen while taking a shower. Maybe that’s why the movie won the Prix Méliès from the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics as well as picking up Mr. Skin’s prick!