Film Review
This somewhat unsophisticated melodrama is the only known film to have been made by Jean-Godard
and has only recently been recovered and restored. The film would have easily past
into obscurity were it not for the fact that it features legendary French film actor
Jean Gabin in his first leading role, a fact which gives the film an historical importance
which artistically it can scarcely merit.
Like a large number of early sound films, dialogue adds little and the film would
perhaps have worked better as a silent work. Instead of a specially composed score,
the film uses a compilation of pieces of classical music, some of which are so inappropriate
or distracting that parts of the film are rendered utterly absurd. Equally off-putting
is the fact that about a quarter of the film is taken up by irrelevant “padding”,
material which is presumably intended to set the scene but which merely brings the narrative
to a halt and causes the spectator to lose interest. The worst offender is a lengthy
dance sequence at the start of the film which seems to go on forever and ever...
Once the film has begun proper, things do improve greatly. The camera work becomes
more imaginative as the film progresses, accentuating the darkening mood of the narrative
and giving heightened poignancy to its tragic conclusion. (A pity this is marred
by a totally inappropriate coda which drags the film out way beyond its natural ending.)
The acting is also rather good. Jean Gabin has no difficulty winning our sympathy
and is convincing both as a sailor and as a rejected lover. His co-star, Colette
Darfeuil, is equally effective as the film's femme fatale, combining a seductive
feline beauty with any ice-cold amoral cruelty. The two actors rise way above
the second rate nonsense which is the film's script and, with a talent which would
become more noticeable in later years, bring depth and poetry to what would otherwise
have been a largely uninspired work.
© James Travers 2004
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Film Synopsis
The singer Stella Maria is the star attraction at a popular nightclub.
Seeing one of his comrades succumb to her lethal charms, a naval officer
warns him off by relating the tragic story of a poor sailor who lost all
that he had because of his love for this heartless siren. It took place
several years ago, when Stella was working in a small bar in the port of
Toulon. Jean, a sailor on leave, was instantly drawn to her and, after
dancing with her, he realised that he was in love.
When she went away, Jean followed her to St. Tropez, and, overcome with desire,
he forced his way into her bedroom. Stella offered him no resistance.
Jean was left feeling that at last he had found true happiness. But
then, just a few days later, he saw his beloved Stella amusing herself with
another man. This was more than the young sailor could stand.
Driven insane by jealousy, he deserted his post and, believing he had killed
his rival in a fight, he was driven to suicide...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.