Le Plaisir
Directed by Max Ophüls
Written by Jacques Natanson and Max Ophüls from stories by Guy de Maupassant
1952/France
Compagnie Commerciale Française de Cinematographique/Stera Films
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] “It is the lives we encounter that make life worth living.”
― Guy de Maupassant[/box]
This movie was a total pleasure.
The story is an omnibus of three different stories by de Maupassant. The first is more-or-less a snapshot of the frivolity of a Parisian dance hall. A masked man comes every night to dance with the young ladies. On this particular night he faints during the dance, when his mask is removed he is revealed to be an old man. A doctor takes him back to his shabby flat where he has a conversation with the man’s wife.
The last story is about an artist and his muse (Simone Simon). After they have lived together for awhile, the artist tires of her and she takes drastic action.
The middle story is the longest and best. First we are introduced to a French brothel that is run on sound business principals by its bourgeoise madam. To the dismay of the local male citizenry, the house is dark and locked one evening. The madam has taken her girls to the countryside to celebrate the first communion of her brother’s daughter. Brother Joseph (Jean Gabin) picks the ladies up in his cart. They bring a bit of glamor to the village and the country is like a tonic to them. Everyone enjoys themselves thoroughly, especially Joseph who flirts continuously with Rosa (Danielle Darrieux).They come back refreshed and bring a special gaiety to their work.
Ophuls’ moving camera is really the star of this film, as it is in most of his work. This time, however, he captures a Renoir-like lyricism in the middle section. It is totally charming and even moving. It was nice to see Gabin again, this time in his middle age. Usually I am so busy swooning that I don’t say enough about his acting. He is perfect here as a stolid, jovial country carpenter. Recommended.
Le Plaisir was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft0IJpuCtMI
Clip from the first story
