Catherine (Una vida sin alegría)

A solid review of the narrative plot points has been provided already, however, what I find most interesting about Renoir's initiation into directing with Une Vie Sans Joie is the blend of two stylistic systems that Renoir employed in later films. The first system clearly has influences from Gance and the French Impressionist filmmakers, where rapid editing montage sequences and prolonged angular close-up shots create pace, rhythm and tone but also insight to character psychology and emotion. The second stylistic system is the unique system that has contributed to Renoir's fame and influence as a filmmaker the world over. The long take and mobile framing are not so present in this particular film, however, there are ample opportunities taken to frame a collective of characters using deep staging and deep focus (depth of field). It has been commented before that the co-directing credits of this film beg the question as to what contributions Renoir made from the director's chair. For myself, it would seem that given the two stylistic systems working in conjunction within this film, that Renoir's presence is likely dominant. I conjecture that Dieudonne would likely have been struggling to keep pace with Renoir's vision for the scenario. The film does indeed have a frenetic pace and there is a tangible struggle within the direction that heightens and reflects... even compliments the story itself. It is too modest to think of Renoir's early films as mere vehicles for Hessling's brand... but perhaps a co-directed piece was itself a sound launching point on all fronts.

Interesting first (silent) movie from Renoir he realized so his wife could have the leading role of Catherine. The movie became an object of quarrel between Renoir and Dieudonné who directed this vehicle together and each played also a part in the movie. Was this a Renoir movie or one of Dieudonné, reducing Renoir to its pupil? The dispute became so heavy 2 versions exist, one cut by Renoir and one by Dieudonné. However the themes are so typically Renoir that I question the claim of the co-director. Like in so many other Renoir movies you see a picture of the relationships between masters and servants, with a clear sympathy for the servants and a great dislike for the hypocrisy of the ruling classes. Also the contradiction between order and disorder (major theme in the complete oeuvre of Renoir) is already present in this first attempt to make a movie.

Catherine is a servant girl working for the local mayor and victim of the sharp tongues of the mayor's wife and her friends. This is made clear in a first scene where she is asked to get the key of the mayor's desk at a cultural party the wife is attending. She is harassed by the whole elite who dislike the intrusion of the maid. In this scene it's made clear also that the wife has a secret lover who will later challenge the mayor's political career and will use Catherine as a scapegoat for his own ambitions. This role of "bad guy" is played by Renoir himself. The mayor who is fond of Catherine and is afraid that she'll be more victimized by his wife asks his sister to give Catherine a position in her own household. The sister has a son with tuberculosis (role played by Dieudonné). He's so weak he has no success with women of his class but of course Catherine will like instantly this fragile man. He dies after kissing Catherine while the rest of the town is celebrating carnival. The kissing scene at the window mixed with the fireworks is a brilliant moment of silent melodrama. Catherine is in mourning and because of that driven away by the mayor's wife and her friends. It is indecent that a servant girl is in mourning and shows public affection for someone who is not from her own social status. The emotions of Catherine are the element of disorder in the social ordered world of the rich. Catherine goes away and hides in a cheap hotel in the city where she is also bullied by a local pimp who sees in her an easy target to exploit. By accident Catherine is seen in the hotel window with the pimp, so more reason for gossip by the elite. When she returns to the village looking for a job she is rejected everywhere, even by the local Christian relief organization of which the mayor's wife became president. She meets the mayor again who is shocked by the attitude of the town, takes her in his home again and promotes her to his secretary. The wife is furious of course and leaves her husband to live with her mother. It is start of a slander campaign against the political credibility of the mayor. The lover of the mayor's wife sees what is happening as a golden opportunity and makes a public attack on the moral character of the mayor (what's new under the sun?) Catherine wants to avoid the downfall of her protector and leaves the mayor, explaining herself in a note. She hides in an old tram for the rain while the mayor is driving around in his car frantically looking for the girl. Two vagabonds are thrown out of a pub and out of frustration push the tram car, so it starts a crazy race up and down the hills towards the bridge and the valley abyss. Catherine is already accepting her death but is saved in time by the mayor who has made his choice for the girl. The social implications of his choice are not shown but are clear for all.

The chase of the car and the tram and the way Renoir shows speed with the camera are rather remarkable. This final scene illustrates also the influence of the American silent movie but of course the context is quite different. This is not a funny Keystone Cops chase but pure drama. Other more stylized elements in the movie show the influence of German cinema (Renoir was a huge admirer of Stroheim). Both influences will go hand in hand in other movie productions, all financed by selling the paintings of his father, the famous painter Auguste Renoir.