Film Review
Jean Grémillon's adaptation of Jean Anouilh's stage play gives the director another
opportunity to combine the themes of tragic romance and anti-Bourgeois sentiment which
predominate in his work. Whilst
Pattes blanches is an engaging
piece of cinema, it lacks the impact and immediacy of Grémillon's earlier achievements
-
Gueule d'amour,
L'Étrange Monsieur Victor,
Remorques -
and it was not a great commercial success. The main reason for this partial failure
was probably the fact that Grémillon was called in at the very last moment to direct
the film when Anouilh realised he was not up to the job himself.
Although strong on atmosphere and characterisation, the film is weakened by
its lack of focus and awkward melange of styles. The exterior
location scenes (filmed on the Brittany coast) have a coldly neo-realist style
whereas the interiors have an old Gothic feel that is more in keeping with
the romantic theme. Whilst the performances are beyond criticism,
the characters appear under-developed, with the result that the story
lacks dramatic impetus. Suzy Delair is at the height of her
powers as a typically Gallic femme fatale, whilst Michel Bouquet (in one of his earliest film
appearances) conveys pure spite and cynicism in his striking portrayal of the outsider,
Maurice.
Pattes blanches offers a number of memorable set pieces
which show Grémillon at his creative best.
There is first and foremost the harrowing night scene where Odette attempts vainly to
return to her husband on their wedding night (the bleakness of the location contrasting
vividly with the gaiety of the music being hammered out at the party). Then there
is the sombre scene near the end of the film where the crippled Mimi returns to Julien
and, for a brief moment or two, lives the fairy tale for which has yearned.
The film has its fleeting moments of brilliance, but it pales in comparison
with the director's subsequent
Lumière d'été (1943)
and
Le Ciel est à vous (1944).
© James Travers 2002
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Next Jean Grémillon film:
L'Étrange Madame X (1951)
Film Synopsis
Odette, an attractive young woman, arrives in the fishing town of Saint-Brieuc in Brittany
and becomes the mistress of Jock, the owner of the local inn. Jealous of this new
intrusion, Jock's waitress Mimi starts to visit a bankrupt aristocrat, Julien, who
lives the life of a hermit in his old family castle. To tease Mimi, Odette flirts
with Julien (known to the locals as White Paws because of his white gaiters), but Julien
falls in love with Odette. When he learns this news, Julien's embittered half-brother
Maurice sees an opportunity to have his revenge against the family that disowned him.
On the night of Odette's marriage to Jock, Maurice contrives to get Odette and Julien
together - with tragic consequences...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.