chouan's reviews

Most probably this movie tried to capitalized on the fantastic success of Les Diaboliques. From the same Boileau-Narcejac team of detective stories this one unfortunately does not work as it should. Except for Jean Servais at his cynical best, the cast is not convincing and the action drags through the usual twists of the suspense scenario.

While Louis XVI is fleeing Paris, a stagecoach travels the same route. The passengers discuss philosophy and politics, they meet Casanova on his way to Germany, they arrive in Varennes to witness the arrest of the King. It is an interesting movie, sometimes pretentious, sometimes brilliant. The cast is excellent and makes up for its shortcomings.

Louis de Funès was certainly a shoo-in for the role of the irascible, mean and greedy Harpagon. The setting is somehow bizarre, but Molière's text is scrupulously respected. Filmed theater is usually taboo among movie critics and amateurs, but this experiment is both pleasurable and successful.If you want to discover Molière, this is the movie to see.

Marcel Aymé was an excellent writer who left us, among other things, short stories set in occupied Paris. No patriotic pathos or teary laments, but a dark humorous look at everyday life. With this movie Bourvil revived his carreer and established himself as a real great comedian. Jean Gabin, as usual, is excellent. The story line is simple : two men have to carry across Paris black market pig meat. Bourvil, an unemployed cab driver does it for money, Gabin, a well known artist does it for kicks.

A third rate actor manages to survive by playing roles in real life. It will land him in court and then a part in legitimate theater. This farce is a great vehicle to showcase Fernandel's versatility.

Äfter "Les enfants du Paradis"there was for the tandem Prévert/Carné only one way to go : down, and they did in that boring melodrama. This movie is only worth remembering for the musical score by Joseph Kosma, known in English as "Autumn leaves"

An old farmhand wants to save his old horse from being gored in the bull ring. He leaves everything to lead Ulysse, the horse, to the safety and freedom of the Camargue National Park. Beautiful images, excellent acting, with a little bit of comedy thrown in and music by the great Georges Brassens.

Luis Mariano was the idol of many teenagers, by now grandmothers. He starred in a few operettas written for him by Francis Lopez. Andalousie is one of them and this cinematic version keeps alive for us the charming simple music that will eventually be steamrolled by rock. This movie might be a nostalgia trip, but it stands on its own with romantic costumes and beautiful settings. All in all, a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

After a fairly slow beginning the pace accelerates towards the dramatic climax. Great care has been taken to recreate the real story and the depiction of Victorian England, though not flattering, is excellent. Trevor Howard is at his best as the boorish and arrogant Lord Raglan.

An old statesman reminisces his carrier, highlighted by a decision to devaluate the Franc, the building of Europe and a betrayal of confidence by an ambitious politician. Masterful creation by Jean Gabin with the help of an excellent dialogue by M. Audiard.

it has its good moments, but it shows its age, both in the fashions and some of the dialogue.

This comedy is an exercise in nostalgia with a middle-aged de Funès, a young Jacques Fabbri and a more relaxed Paris.

All in all. good clean fun but easily forgotten.

An unpretentious little comedy with a solid cast, particularly Bourvil in one of his first movies. He will later become one of France's best comedians. Brigitte Bardot is also playing one of her first roles, before becoming the sex symbol that we know.

Unfortunately the movie does not capture the oniric quality of Alain Fournier's only novel.Maybe Marcel Carné or Jean Renoir could have done it. As it is, the movie is technically good, but a spark is missing... What a pity!

The heavy censorship imposed during the german occupation made it difficult for cineasts to find non controversial subjects. Jacques Prévert and Marcel Carné came up with this medieval tale of love and sorcery with a prestigious cast of great actors. It has been claimed that the beating heart in the statue was a symbol of the Resistance.

More like an inside joke for French audience, this movie would have limited appeal to a North American audience.

Michel Colucci (Coluche) was known as a fairly vulgar comedian. His performance in that movie puts him among the great actors. One thinks of Humphrey Bogart in "the Caine mutiny" when watching him create the role of the mentally disturbed army surgeon. In that particular role, I would even put Coluche ahead of Bogart.

a few historical errors, but a lovingly told story with a great cast.

Sacha Guitry, in the last years of his life made two excellent movies, this one and "Napoléon". He later made "Si Paris m'était conté" which is better forgotten.