Viva Maria! (1965) - film review

In 1907, Maria Fitzgerald O’Malley finds herself alone in Central America.  Her father, an Irish political agitator, has just been killed in his latest terrorist strike against the British Empire.  Maria comes across a travelling troupe of entertainers who hire her to replace the stage partner of an erotic dancer, also named Maria.  The two Marias enjoy great success in the republic of San Miguel, but their plans change suddenly when they are arrested by the sadistic dictator Rodriguez.  They escape with the help of a band of revolutionaries, led by Florès.  When the latter is killed, the elder Maria swears to carry on his cause to liberate his people....

Viva María! is a striking contrast – both in scale and mood – to Louis Malle’s previous film, the spatially confined, intensely melancholic Feu Follet (1963).  A riotous adventure comedy, with lavish period costumes and an exotic location, Viva María! looks much more like the work of one Malle’s contemporaries, Philippe de Broca, than anything you would have expected of Louis Malle.  The film stars Jeanne Moreau and Brigitte Bardot who were, at that time, among the most prominent of European actresses, each at the height of a hugely successful international film career.  A publicity coup certainly but Malle’s decision to bring together two such contrasting and prolific actresses definitely pays off – Bardot’s unbridled, girlish spontaneity and obvious erotic appeal working well alongside Moreau’s more introspective, darker kind of seductive charm.

It is quite hard to place this film in Malle’s remarkably diverse canon of cinematic works.  Obviously intended for the mass market, it has few if any of the artistic strengths of the director’s truly great films, and it certainly has far less of the impact.  Yet, as a piece of spirited entertainment it has much to commend it.  The Central American revolution idea has been done to death over the years and this film has little by way of originality to set it apart.  The film’s main redeeming features are some very funny visual jokes and the Marias’ naughty stage act (which looks like an uncensored version of what you might find in Paris’ erotic hotspot, the Moulin Rouge).   Cinematography from Henri Decaë and music from Georges Delerue add to the film’s pleasing aesthetics, although the comic book plot and silly dialogue do get a bit trying in places.  Not a great film, but as a piece of mad escapist fun intended to chase away the blues it works a treat.

© James Travers 2004

Write a review for this film...

This is a lovely film. One of a kind. An innocent story with a French touch. The ladies here are icons of grace and skill. It is a kind of action movie if you want, a love story, a story of growth. A bomber beauty finds lace and men. I need to see it again. It is from a movie paradise that we have lost.
Kaarlo Suotamo (Belgium)  

A cute, enjoyable film.  Bardot is gorgeous in all her exotic beauty.  The costumes are lovely, the countryside lush.  The story is silly but cute.  Big surprise: George Hamilton.  A very young George, the lead rebel who meets an untimely end, is the object of affection of the beautiful Jeanne Moreau.  Just a fun foreign film to enjoy on a quiet evening.  Not for someone looking for a deep, philosophical foreign film.  Just a "for fun" film!
Marie E. Miller (Los Angeles, CA)

What do you think of this film?