Caprices (1942) - film review

Lise and Philippe are two wealthy young people who decide to try a spot of playacting to relieve their boredom.  Lise, a well-known actress, chooses to pass herself off as a poor florist.  Philippe, meanwhile, tries to convince the world that he is a big-time crook.  It is not long before their harmless caprice soon spirals out of control...

Danielle Darrieux and her then husband Henri Decoin signed with Continental for one film (Premier rendez-vous).  Because of a procedure that became established in the thirties of making both a French and a German version of the same film, the couple were no strangers to German soundstages and personnel.  Darrieux, however, was a major star and a potential feather in Continental's cap if they could persuade her to do more movies.  

Coincidentally, Darrieux had split with Decoin and entered into a relationship with Poririo Rubirosa, whom she subsequently married.  Alfred Greven intimated that Rubirosa, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, would encounter no Visa problems should Darrieux see her way clear to making a few more films for Continental.  The result was that, in addition, to Premier rendez-vous, Darrieux also starred in La Fausse maîtresse and Caprices.

Léo Joannon was a fine journeyman director and brought a sure touch to this Cinderella story of a florist who aspires to be an actress.  Darrieux could phone in something like this in her sleep yet she always brought a touch of class to whatever she did.  This soufflé was exactly what Greven had in mind in his brief to shoot escapism for an Occupied nation.  It stands up remarkably well today and will bear multiple viewings.

Leon Nock (London, England) 

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