A couple is brutally murdered in the working-class district of Paris. Later on, the narrative follows the lives of their two daughters, both in love with a Parisian thug and leading them to separate ways.
This film has probably been given additional viewing because Pauline Kael apparently claimed it was her all-time favorite. And since Kael is arguably the greatest film critic ever (with all due respect to Ebert and Agee), this carries weight. And, indeed, it does have something going for it.
Besides the double exposure technique, which was somewhat advanced for the time, where I think it really excels is the lack of intertitles. This makes the plot a bit more universal, and viewers can take from it what they please without seeing it as "French" or anything else.
This film has probably been given additional viewing because Pauline Kael apparently claimed it was her all-time favorite. And since Kael is arguably the greatest film critic ever (with all due respect to Ebert and Agee), this carries weight. And, indeed, it does have something going for it.
Besides the double exposure technique, which was somewhat advanced for the time, where I think it really excels is the lack of intertitles. This makes the plot a bit more universal, and viewers can take from it what they please without seeing it as "French" or anything else.