Casque d’Or
Directed by Jacques Becker
Written by Jacques Becker and Jacques Companeéz
1951/France
Robert et Raymond Hakim
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
[box] “Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy – in fact, they are almost incompatible; one emotion hardly leaves room for the other.” ― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land[/box]
The story is dark but the images are filled with light reminiscent of a Renoir painting. This is a very beautiful film.
It is Belle Epoque France. The members of Leca’s gang and their molls have gathered at an open-air dance hall near the river. Raymond, a member of the gang, brings his old cell-mate Manda (Serge Reggiani) with him to the festivities. Manda is trying to reform and is working as a carpenter. Things threaten to get out of hand when Manda asks Marie (Simone Signoret), the “woman” of one of the gang members, to dance. Their attraction is immediate.
Later on all these people end up in another dance hall. When Manda again asks Marie to dance, her boyfriend challenges him to a fight. They step outside for a brawl but, unbeknownst to Manda, his rival is armed with a knife. Manda manages to wrestle the knife away from him and kills him in the process. The cops have been tipped off and arrive shortly. The gang flees.
Leca has evidently been waiting for this opportunity to make Marie his own. But she runs to Manda who is hiding out in an inn by the river. They spend an idyllic day and night of love. Then Leca, who has secretly informed to the police to get at Marie, shows up and tells Manda his friend Raymond has been arrested for the murder. A lot more happens none of it good.
If you love Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party”, you will love this film. The whole thing is bathed in the glow that pervades that painting and Becker’s meticulous attention to detail makes the place and time very real. The young Signoret is irresistible. Highly recommended.
Clip
“The Luncheon of the Boating Party”, 1880-81
