Circonstances atténuantes

THis is as far-fetched as can be,the story is so unbelievable that you cannot search any realism in this little -and a bit crazy- comedy. A judge M.Le Sentencier(sic)-it almost means "sentencious"-,played by Simon,and his authoritian missus arrive in an inn where you take your life in your hands when you enter.Actually,it's a den of weirdoes and hoodlums .Among them,a cheeky Marie-qu'a-d'çà (=smart Mary)played by Arletty.The judge wants the gang's redemption and the ways he will use are not very orthodox.A risqué move for 1939:a gay character (but who ends up married in the end!).A song that was to become famous:"comme de bien entendu"(=as expected)Outside the movie,this ditty became immortal for another-less funny - reason.When the soldiers went to war a few months later,they sang it ironically.

Michel Simon and Arletty were wonderful comedians and if you like this one,I would also recommend "fric frac'(=break in)which they made the same year.