Les Valseuses (1974) - film review

Jean-Claude and Pierrot are two long-haired, twenty-something layabouts who spend their days harassing women and committing petty crimes.  They travel the length and breadth of the country in stolen cars, in pursuit of hedonistic freedom.  They are joined by a hairdresser, Marie-Ange, who ends up as their lover, domestic and closest confidante.

Not only is this Bertrand Blier’s first major film; it is also the film which propelled actor Gérard Depardieu to stardom.  Although the film has its strengths – mainly some very funny comic situations – it lacks the impact and maturity of Blier’s later films.  There are just too many occasions where the film seems to lose momentum and come to a grinding halt, or ends up re-treading the same ground over and over again.  Like the film’s central characters, this is a film that just doesn’t seem to go anywhere - very frustrating.

In addition, some of the comedy is in very poor taste.  Having so many gross, overt sex scenes, this film could quite easily be mistaken for a somewhat tacky soft porn movie.  Repeatedly, you get the impression that Blier is setting up one shock scene after another, simply to create an effect, rather like a solitary anarchist trying to attract an audience.  This serves merely to dilute or distract from the film’s very creditable plus points - such as some fine photography, some great comedy, a brilliant comic rapport between Depardieu and co-star Patrick Dewaere, and a memorable cameo from Jeanne Moreau.

What the film does show, beyond any question, however, is the talent of Bertrand Blier as a writer/director and the formidable ability of Gérard Depardieu, who was to go on to be one of the foremost actors of his generation.

Also, watch out for fine performances from Patrick Dewaere, Miou-Miou and a very young Isabelle Huppert.

© James Travers 2000

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As a film, well-made. Depardieu very good etc... but you all know that. As an experience, distasteful. It left me feeling soiled. I am used to coming away from American films of the sort (indies) wondering why I have bothered to waste my time with these people. It is the first time I have ever felt this with a French film.   Roeber (London)   

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