What to do on a Sunday in the middle of July when it is raining? And when the guy from 3rd floor tramples around in his flat like a remake of Captain Ahab. My choice: to watch something good and to be sure that really is good, I will resort to the classics.
I try notto watch too many classics, unless I might not be able to come over with the stream of mediocre films that flood us all the time. Duvivier's Poil de carotte has won the test of time. 85 years after its publication it is still fresh and gripping. Recently I saw Pepé le Moko (again). Also in that film there is a simple plot, but man! what can Duvivier make of it!
Poil de carotte is for all unloved and not wanted children. His mother hates him for reasons of his own; his father is weak and rather pretends not to see. His only friend is the dog and the new maid. His siblings are older and his mother's favorites (like in Cinderella). All work together to mob the boy. He can breathe freely only when he is together with his godfather. At last everything becomes too much and he tries to commit suicide, only to be saved in the last moment. A new chapter will begin, or rather now Poil de carotte has an ally in his fights with his evil mother.
At now time this classic seems to be old. Every single frame still has its appeal. Duvivier had a special talent to evoke the best from amateur actors. This is the first appearance on screen of Robert Lynen, who rightfully became a child star after his performance. Lynen expresses despair,anger, joy, hope - it's just a pleasure to see how this child can act. It is sad to think that he and Harry Baur (here his father) would die during the occupation of France.
Some critics think that Catherine Fonteney is over-acting. Yes, she is, but that is exactly the point. Acting is her source of power, so it is justified to overact here. This is in compliance with the character. This is cinema as it should be: stirring and uplifting at the same time, it gavs me also smiles and tears - and what more can you expect from a film?
10/10
LATER NOTE: Isn't it all historical? Don't webhave planned children only? Maybe not. In the Finnish movie Vuosaari we meet a boy with a similar hysterical mother.
I try notto watch too many classics, unless I might not be able to come over with the stream of mediocre films that flood us all the time. Duvivier's Poil de carotte has won the test of time. 85 years after its publication it is still fresh and gripping. Recently I saw Pepé le Moko (again). Also in that film there is a simple plot, but man! what can Duvivier make of it!
Poil de carotte is for all unloved and not wanted children. His mother hates him for reasons of his own; his father is weak and rather pretends not to see. His only friend is the dog and the new maid. His siblings are older and his mother's favorites (like in Cinderella). All work together to mob the boy. He can breathe freely only when he is together with his godfather. At last everything becomes too much and he tries to commit suicide, only to be saved in the last moment. A new chapter will begin, or rather now Poil de carotte has an ally in his fights with his evil mother.
At now time this classic seems to be old. Every single frame still has its appeal. Duvivier had a special talent to evoke the best from amateur actors. This is the first appearance on screen of Robert Lynen, who rightfully became a child star after his performance. Lynen expresses despair,anger, joy, hope - it's just a pleasure to see how this child can act. It is sad to think that he and Harry Baur (here his father) would die during the occupation of France.
Some critics think that Catherine Fonteney is over-acting. Yes, she is, but that is exactly the point. Acting is her source of power, so it is justified to overact here. This is in compliance with the character. This is cinema as it should be: stirring and uplifting at the same time, it gavs me also smiles and tears - and what more can you expect from a film?
10/10
LATER NOTE: Isn't it all historical? Don't webhave planned children only? Maybe not. In the Finnish movie Vuosaari we meet a boy with a similar hysterical mother.
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