Deux amours

It was not the first time Richard Pottier had directed singer Tino Rossi in a double role; in " destins" (1946 ), he played (twin) brothers : the good one whose singing career was triumphing ,and the baddie who went as far as to kidnap his young nephew for ransom!

"Destins " featured the French classic carol "petit papa noel" which Josh Grosban included in his best-seller "noel " album .

In "Deux amours ",here they are again: Tino as the educated handsome town clerk with a golden voice Sylvain ,and Tino with heavy make up as the lame jointer Désiré. Sylvain is the toast of the village ,every girl vying for his attention ;but he only has eyes for Antoinette ,and alas ,his unfortunate brother falls in love with her too.

The love story is totally bland , complete with songs every fifteen minutes , sometimes with a choir which provides the movie with a not-so-comic relief : the cafe owner's daughter ,who sings out of tune and who knows only one song is ridiculed all along the movie.

The supporting cast walks away with the honors easily ,surpassing the principals: Madame Sylvie,Gabriello, Edouard Delmont , Jeanne Fusier- Girl create a good atmosphere of a small village ,with its gossips ,its happenings and its Sunday masses.

And , last but not least ,there's an unexpected (unhappy ) end ,which is rare in these mushy soap operas : it's even cruel , and it probably took the late forties' audience by surprise.