Film Review
Léonce Perret wasn't just one of Gaumont's most talented
filmmakers, unquestionably one of the foremost pioneers of the seventh
art, he was also a consummate story teller. Within the incredibly
limiting confines of a one or two reel short film, he could tell a
complete story that perfectly fits the space allotted to it, in a way
that can hardly fail to satisfy.
Le Chrysanthème rouge is one
of Perret's most perfect short films. It has a ludicrously simple
plot - essentially a comic variant on the Judgment of Solomon story -
but in Perret's deft hands it becomes an enchanting little fable.
One of Gaumont's most versatile filmmakers, Perret proved adept at
practically every genre that the new medium of cinema was capable of
supporting. Comedy was a particular forte of his, and
Le Chrysanthème rouge is one
of his funniest films. Perret's penchant for the macabre surfaces
right at the end of the film, providing an unexpected but neat
resolution to the plot. The 'appearance' of the titular red
chrysanthemum (to say any more would be to give away the brilliant plot
twist) is emphasised by a smattering of colour, a nice touch that adds
to the scene's dramatic impact.
The other thing to note is Perret's liberal use of close-ups, a device
that was rarely used at the time. You'd almost think the close-up
was invented for Suzanne Grandais, Gaumont's star actress and France's
answer to Mary Pickford. Just 18 when she appeared in the film,
Grandais has a magnetic presence and Perret would have been mad not to
have favoured her with a least half a dozen close-ups, which he does
with loving attention. Perret himself appears in the film,
humorously overacting as one of Grandais's tormented suitors, the other
suitor being played (with somewhat more restraint) by another of his
favourite actors, Émile Keppens. Such is Grandais's charm
and charisma that you scarcely notice her two co-stars - but then she
was Gaumont's sweetest blossom. Perret made good use of Grandais's
talents in some of his other films, including
Le
Coeur et l'argent (1912) and
Le
Mystère des roches de Kador (1912).
© James Travers 2015
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Léonce Perret film:
Le Coeur et l'argent (1912)
Film Synopsis
A young woman is courted by two men who are prepared to do anything to
win her hand in marriage. Unable to decide between the two men,
the woman sets them a challenge: she will surrender her heart to the
man who gives to her the flower that she treasures the most.
Without a moment's delay, the two suitors rush off to the nearest
flower seller and return laden with bouquets. Alas, neither man
has found their beloved's favourite flower, which she reveals to be the
chrysanthemum. Still confident of success, the two men head back
to the florists and return with armfuls of chrysanthemums. Alas,
it is the red chrysanthemum that Miss Suzy has set her heart on.
As one of her suitors rushes back to the flower seller, the other comes
up with a more ingenious solution...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.