walter m
In "Au Bonheur des Dames," Denise(Dita Parlo), an orphan, travels to Paris, in order to stay with relatives. However, things are little better with them as her uncle's(Armand Bour) store is failing. That leaves her little choice but to find work immediately. Luckily for her, there is a gigantic department store just across the way where she finds work as a model.
"Au Bonheur des Dames" announces its attentions from the onset, namely to decry large impersonal stores taking the place of smaller shops which is a timely issue even today. To accentuate that, the movie places the emphasis more on set pieces than on plot and story. But with its lavish art direction(contrasted against the uncle's dingy shop), the movie eventually takes on a much more ambiguous tone, making the viewer wonder which side it is really on or whether it like the shoppers got seduced by shiny objects.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Zola novel transposed to 1930's Paris. Some of the innovation of film making are apparent like panchromatic lenses giving early deep focus. Characterizations are weak but the story is strong with a sympathetic anti-heroine. The restoration of this movie is top notch.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/14/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Le seul film de Julien Duvivier dont je me souvienne
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/14/23
Full Review
Read all reviews