French Cancan

A light-hearted, yet ultimately serious, celebration of love and art. It's point of view is autumnal, its mood sweetly melancholic, yet it ends with the most rollicking, dionysian dance you'll ever see. And as usual, Renoir loves each of his characters, despite--perhaps because of--their flaws. Gabin is perfect as the aging entrepreneur, and Maria Felix is imperiously lovely as the belly dancer La Belle Abesse. Watch for Michel Piccoli in a small early role as "The Captain."

Like Gabin, this is as smooth and seductive as French silk. Renoir effortlessly toys with genre, shows off with costumes, and easily (frighteningly so) weaves the inner dramas of his many principal players towards their realization that the stage is really the sexiest lover of them all. The final cancan is one of the most overwhelming cinematic orgasms since Berkeley put chorus girls on a gushing fountain.

Renoir's craftsmanship was impeccable, and even in his late period, he was still operating at a higher level than most directors. His sense of colour and movement was superb and produced much aesthetic pleasure, especially in the final cancan sequence which is a joyous celebration of rhythm and sound. Gabin is typically strong as a charming theater producer, and Renoir's breezy pace keeps the story moving along at a pleasing meter.

Shits all over Moulin Rouge, that's for sure.

A good excuse for Renoir to show off rich, effortless textures. His light touch makes this a very pleasant watch. The choreography, the sets and costumes, the color and music... it's all outstanding. He balances many characters over one large story arc, maintaining warmth and humor for them all, even some of the nastier types.

A lively, whimsical tribute to show business from Renoir, a fictionalized telling of the opening of the Moulin Rouge. Jean Gabin is his usual winning self as the devil-may-care producer, and I thought Maria Félix was great as the star with a jealous streak. One of the smaller roles, Philippe Clay as Casimir, was quite delightful too. I still don't like Renoir's sense of color, and I wouldn't ever watch this again, but it was fun.

I find it amusing to read reviewers that twist their thoughts into pretzels trying to justify how this belongs alongside Renoir's films that actually are, you know, great. It doesn't. Oh, it's amusing enough and his a certain, um, "Parisian" charm (okay, yes--I believe that phrase in oxymoron). It's quite competently made, but mostly it screams quaintness to the point of nausea. Worth watching for Jean Gabin, and the many marvelous cameo performances.

Mostly charming but fairly slight film about the opening of the Moulin Rouge. Not something I feel the need to ever see again, but it's relatively fun.

87.00

Renoir's energy overrides the darker elements present in the movie. There's a sense of realism, but with the joy of performance overriding the consequences within. The cast is great, as well.

Star Rating: ★★★★1/2

a celebration of love, lust and joie de vivre, or a celebration of dressing and dolling and pimping and primping young women until they meet the staring standards of a bunch of creepy old men? okay, sure, the colours are wonderful, and the finale is rather enjoyable.

#457

Gabin is so creepy.

475

Not very lively

426

# 407

The first Renoir movie I ever saw. His characteristic warmth and humor abound.

Extremely pleasurable and may deserve a higher score (too long since I saw it to be sure). In the 1950s, Renoir made some superb movies.

It's fun and charming and Gabin is great. Some parts were a bit too silly for me and I guess I expect too much from Renoir because it was a bit disappointing, but still enjoyable.