Boudu is an odd and inconsequential film, it's a tour de force from Michel Simon, and has some clever touches from Renoir (those long lenses!), but leaves me with the impression of someone learning his trade. He had been making films for about seven years and the Great classics were still to come!
*** Basically tramp loses dog, attempts suicide but is saved by liberal minded bookseller, becomes ungrateful dog to philandering bookseller whom he also cuckolds. Many humorous vignettes later he swims free of any ownership issues, depicted with some of the most gloriously atmospheric black & white nitrate photography from 1932 I've seen. ***
If it sounds like it doesn't add up to much, it does, the film has stayed in my imagination since I first saw it in the '80's. Simon's memorable performance as the unconventional Boudu is so riveting that the Parts certainly add up to more than the Whole. Fortunately I have no intention of seeing any of the pointless remakes so my impression will remain intact.
*** Basically tramp loses dog, attempts suicide but is saved by liberal minded bookseller, becomes ungrateful dog to philandering bookseller whom he also cuckolds. Many humorous vignettes later he swims free of any ownership issues, depicted with some of the most gloriously atmospheric black & white nitrate photography from 1932 I've seen. ***
If it sounds like it doesn't add up to much, it does, the film has stayed in my imagination since I first saw it in the '80's. Simon's memorable performance as the unconventional Boudu is so riveting that the Parts certainly add up to more than the Whole. Fortunately I have no intention of seeing any of the pointless remakes so my impression will remain intact.