The provocatively-titled Who Killed Bambi? is the feature film debut from French director Gilles Marchand. This glacially-paced thriller takes place almost entirely within the confines of a gorgeously austere hospital, menacingly bathed in stark white light. In the midst of a residency, sheepish nurse Isabelle (the cherub-faced Sophie Quinton) tends to faint whenever she is around Dr. Philipp (Laurent Lucas). The sharply handsome surgeon sexually molests his female patients after hours, and a tense and fascinating exchange emerges between the two when Isabelle begins to suspect him.

The slow-to-develop storyline lacks much of the suspense required of this type of thriller, partly because the sinister intentions of Dr. Philipp are apparent from the outset. But in its defense, this does foster a visceral milieu of peril against which the characters are allowed to develop and flourish. Accordingly, the films' main strength lies in the complex psychological interplay between Isabelle and Dr. Philipp; the manipulation of her delicate sensibilities through his steely demeanor and heady mind games forms the crux of the story and makes for entertaining viewing.

Who Killed Bambi? tends to drag at times though, skirting the edge between decadently languid and just downright dull. Its striking appearance, meticulous art direction, discreet performances and a sly nod to Twin Peaks all work to pull it through its rigorous paces and save it from disaster. Those with a less robust appreciation for this type of rigid cinematic experience will likely tune out before the films' anti-climax. A healthy attention span and a willingness to focus on the subtle nuances of the cerebral fabric of the film should be standard issue for those who opt to give it a chance.

Thumbs Up by the thinnest of margins. Who Killed Bambi? is a visually appealing test of wills that could greatly benefit from sharper cinematic teeth.