After watching her in auteur film maker Julien Duvivier's classy Marie-Octobre (also reviewed),I decided to search around for trivia about lead actress Danielle Darrieux time during production,and I stumbled on a credit which revealed that Darrieux had played a small role in an earlier Duvivier title,which led to me getting ready to break open the pot of Bouille.
View on the film:
Opening with rain falling down the screen as Jean Wiener's riveting score chimes in the background,co-writer/(along with Léo Joannon and Henri Jeanson) director Julien Duvivier & cinematographer Michel Kelber glaze the movie with a quality touch of class,with beaming close-ups showing the cast at their most beautiful and giving Duvivier's "Women's Picture" an angelic atmosphere.
Keeping his major Film Noir theme beating, Duvivier gives his ladies some dark curves,with stylishly held corner shots eavesdropping on all the gossip being spun about Mouret's encounters.
Based on the 10th book in the series (!) by Émile Zola,the screenplay by Joannon/ Jeanson struggles to cover the tough censorship which the screenplay faced,that leads to the plot feeling rather loose at times,and in search of something to truly complete it.
Despite there being weaknesses,the writers thankfully shine with crisp dialogue being rolled out by the bourgeoisie towards dream boy Mouret,who wonderfully uses all his charms to wrap the women round his fingers. Taking place behind the scenes,the writers give a striking sensuality to Berthe and Mouret's affair,with Bertha trying to go against the Noir shadows to keep their romance lit.
Joined by an elegant Danielle Darrieux as Caroline Hédouin, Gérard Philipe gives a dashing performance as Octave Mouret,whose charms Philipe splashes across the screen which makes any women who comes into contact with Mouret melt.
Pushed by her family to do what they want,the gorgeous Dany Carrel gives an excellent performance as Berthe,thanks to Carrel delicately uncovering Berthe innocent passion for Mouret,and giving Berthe a gravitas awareness that despite him working there,Mouret is not the happiness of women.
View on the film:
Opening with rain falling down the screen as Jean Wiener's riveting score chimes in the background,co-writer/(along with Léo Joannon and Henri Jeanson) director Julien Duvivier & cinematographer Michel Kelber glaze the movie with a quality touch of class,with beaming close-ups showing the cast at their most beautiful and giving Duvivier's "Women's Picture" an angelic atmosphere.
Keeping his major Film Noir theme beating, Duvivier gives his ladies some dark curves,with stylishly held corner shots eavesdropping on all the gossip being spun about Mouret's encounters.
Based on the 10th book in the series (!) by Émile Zola,the screenplay by Joannon/ Jeanson struggles to cover the tough censorship which the screenplay faced,that leads to the plot feeling rather loose at times,and in search of something to truly complete it.
Despite there being weaknesses,the writers thankfully shine with crisp dialogue being rolled out by the bourgeoisie towards dream boy Mouret,who wonderfully uses all his charms to wrap the women round his fingers. Taking place behind the scenes,the writers give a striking sensuality to Berthe and Mouret's affair,with Bertha trying to go against the Noir shadows to keep their romance lit.
Joined by an elegant Danielle Darrieux as Caroline Hédouin, Gérard Philipe gives a dashing performance as Octave Mouret,whose charms Philipe splashes across the screen which makes any women who comes into contact with Mouret melt.
Pushed by her family to do what they want,the gorgeous Dany Carrel gives an excellent performance as Berthe,thanks to Carrel delicately uncovering Berthe innocent passion for Mouret,and giving Berthe a gravitas awareness that despite him working there,Mouret is not the happiness of women.