Boudu Saved From Drowning

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Abe A This is a sprightly little farce, brilliantly executed with precise form--it has a beginning, middle and end which follow quickly and logically, with no filler, so it gives a sense of action that is necessary and predetermined, the true mark of a classic. It has insouciance, silliness, excellent characterization, a heartbeat, the ability to excite laughter and reflection at the same time, and conclusions that follow logically from the premises. It reminds me of the work of the French genius Rene Clair. This movie is a delightful, frothy little masterpiece. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/28/24 Full Review Ethan S Hard to know what to make of this film on the first watch. The last twenty minutes or so get increasingly surreal and dreamlike, and what first appeared to be a movie about a middle class man saving and trying to domesticate an apparently mentally unstable homeless person gets all topsy-turvy by the end. There's certainly an anti-establishment, anti-bourgeoise theme to the film, though no one individual is portrayed in a straightforward fashion - all are nuanced and complex, adding a level of realism to the performances that makes the surreal ending to the film that much more disorienting. It is easy to see why this film influenced future generations of filmmakers, especially the American filmmakers of the late 1960s and 1970s. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/15/22 Full Review William L Commonly referred to as a satire of the bourgeoisie, Boudu Saved from Drowning seems to be less about class in general and more focused on morality and perceptions of civility; Boudu's existence is simple, unsympathetic, and often crude, but has validity and a sense of liberation. He is a truly independent spirit who refuses to cater to the preferences of society, and chooses his own means of death. Yet Lestingois sees it as a civic and moral duty to intrude upon Boudu's chosen path because it contends with his own, and attempts to reshape him into a more 'acceptable' individual. Boudu, in the meantime, feels little remorse for his uncaring treatment of his benefactor, but his presence in the family was the result of invitation rather than trespass; Boudu and Lestingois share a lack of true care for the needs and desires of others, but one is perceived as civilized while the other is considered a tramp. Renoir's social satire is clear and often biting, the performance from Simon has a great energy and roguish quality, and there are some clever moments in the cinematography (Boudu's hat floating downstream) but the narrative and characters don't match for quality and consistency, instead feeling as if they were designed around the director's intended message. (3.5/5) Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/21 Full Review S R 1001 movies to see before you die. This one was unique for its French ridiculousness, but it's not one I plan to see again soon. It was on CRI. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/22/23 Full Review Audience Member It was very peculiar to watch, and yet so memorable. The title character is undefinable. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Chega a ser bastante singular, portanto, que um francês celebre essa dualidade dramática e incômoda entre o equilíbrio e a transgressão, a partir de uma inspirada crítica à superficialidade burguesa, salpicada com sutis referências à história da arte europeia. Leia mais: http://cinema-mon-amour31.webnode.com/news/boudu-salvo-das-aguas-%28boudu-sauve-des-eaux%29%2c-de-jean-renoir-%28frança%2c-1932%29/ Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Boudu Saved From Drowning

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