The Adultress (Thérèse Raquin)
Directed by Marcel Carné
Written by Marcel Carné and Charles Spaak from the novel by Emile Zola
1953/France
Paris Film Productions/Lux Films
First viewing/Netflix rental
“They dared not peer down into their own natures, down into the feverish confusion that filled their minds with a kind of dense, acrid mist.” ― Émile Zola, Thérèse Raquin
I was not really looking forward to this, expecting it to be a melodrama based on my reading of the Zola novel. I was very pleased to find that Carné had changed the plot and given us an excellent and very dark film noir.
Therese Raquin (Simone Signoret) leads a dreary existence keeping house and helping out in the store of her mother-in-law. Therese was an orphan who was brought up by her aunt and then married her cousin Camille. Camille is a thorough mother’s boy and spends most of his time being coddled for various real or imagined illnesses. One day, truckdriver Laurent (Raf Vallone) takes Camille home after a drinking session. He falls in love at first sight with Therese. It takes him awhile, but eventually they begin an affair. He begs Therese to leave with him for Italy. She refuses, not wanting to hurt Camille.
So Laurent confronts Camille. Camille is not about to let Therese go. He finally persuades her to go to Paris with him for three days to visit his aunt. He says that if it still doesn’t work out he will let her go. In reality his plan is to lock Therese up at his aunt’s house.
Laurent finds out about the trip and gets on the same train. Camille discovers his wife talking with Laurent and begins an argument. Laurent impulsively throws Camille off the train. The rest of the movie explores the sad consequences of the murder and includes the appearance of a blackmailer.
I don’t think Signoret ever gave a bad performance and she is just fantastic in this. I like her clear-eyed calmness here. The other acting, especially by the supporting players, is excellent. The film has some of the feeling of Carné’s pre-war work such as Port of Shadows and Le jour se leve. It won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Recommended.
Clip
