Boléro

Like in the 1932 Raft/Lombard movie,and before Lelouch's "Les Uns et Les Autres" ,this famous piece of music was the center of a plot.So to speak.

It's filmed stage production without an audience .But Arletty's presence deserves your undivided attention ,as always:her first scene where she passes for a lunatic ,discussing architecture with a man fed up with Le Bolero de Ravel which he hears all day and all night,thanks to his neighbor,a stylist who plays it loud and on and on and on,is the best with her best line :"I'm Joan of Arc ,don't you tell me you haven't recognized me!" Another good scene involves Meg Lemonnier as Niquette who pretends she is suicidal.But halfway through the film becomes repetitive and predictable.After two unexpected twists in its first half,it is a letdown.

Arletty's numerous fans would not want to be without one of her movies made during the Occupation days .