Les Croulants se portent bien (1961) Directed by Jean Boyer
Comedy
Film Review
Even in the twilight of his long and illustrious career, director Jean
Boyer showed no sign of losing his touch and it was with his customary
gusto that he tackled this enjoyable domestic farce, based on a play by
Roger Ferdinand. Looking spookily like a British sitcom of the
1970s (a cross-between Bless This
House and Father, Dear Father),
Les Croulants se portent bien
now appears ahead of its time with its well-observed depiction of the
generational divide that would become far more noticeable in later
decades. 'Croulant' apparently means someone who is 'past it', an
epithet that certainly does not apply to Fernand Gravey, looking as
sprightly as ever in the kind of gentleman comedy role for which he was
particularly well suited (if pushed, he could probably out-charm David
Niven). Supported by Nadia Gray, Sophie Daumier and an impossibly
young Jacques Perrin, with Jean Tissier putting in a brief appearance,
Gravey lends a touch of class and maturity to this genteel,
well-scripted comedy.
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Next Jean Boyer film: C'est pas moi, c'est l'autre (1962)
Film Synopsis
Fifty-something François Legrand is a successful composer who
enjoys a comfortable life in the company of his mother Minouche and
grown-up children, Michel and Martine. The latter are surprised
when François announces his intention to marry Jacqueline, a
woman who is much younger than he is. On the day that
François chooses to introduce his fiancée to his
children, Michel realises that he is madly in love with an older woman,
a friend of his father's. Martine then does her best to persuade
her godfather, Émile, a man more than twice her age, that he is
her beau idéal. When François learns that both of
his children are infatuated with people of his generation he is
appalled and hastily sets out to convince them of their mistake...
Cast: Fernand Gravey (Legrand),
Pierre Dux (Cadeau),
Nadia Gray (Thérèse),
Sophie Daumier (Martine),
Jeanne Aubert (Minouche),
Claudine Coster (Jacqueline),
Jacques Perrin (Michel),
Jean Tissier (Armand),
Jean Roucher,
Pierre Sergeol
Country: France
Language: French
Support: Black and White
Runtime: 90 min
French cinema during the Nazi Occupation
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From its birth in 1895, cinema has been an essential part of French culture. Now it is one of the most dynamic, versatile and important of the arts in France.
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