Ever since I first saw L'Atalante, Michel Simon has remained one of my all time favorite actors. His ability to play quirky and hilarious characters with a dose of emotional depth is practically unmatched in French cinema history. A lifetime friend with director Jean Renoir, Simon starred in a few of his films, including On purge bébé, La Chienne, and, most famously, Boudu Saved From Drowning.
Before I continue gawking at Michel Simon's legendary performance, I would also like to comment on the film's other masterful elements. While the leading performance alone overshadows everything about the movie, every factor of the film is still done to near perfection. As always, Jean Renoir's cinematic eye is breathtaking. He is never afraid to allow his camera to glide in on the action and occasionally shoot everyday events and objects with grand visual splendor. The early sequence in which Boudu plunges into the Seine river, and proceeds to be rescued, is shot with an epic flavor. These shots are beautiful and big to an unexpected extent.
The script is also pitch perfect, and the plot is a perfect set up for good comedy, despite its seemingly dark overtones. Somehow, Renoir is able to make the suicidal homeless man's more melancholic moments funny by infusing some strong social satire and occasionally dark comedy in the likable mix.
Now, onto Michel Simon's performance!
Although he is not a household name, Michel Simon deserves to be hailed as one of cinema's most legendary comedians. In Boudu Saved From a Drowning, he is able to make the way his character eats a comedic highlight. I was nearly rolling on the floor with roaring laughter throughout my rewatching of Boudu simply because of how unbelievably funny this performance is. Even before the punchline, Simon has you giggling, often with intense anticipation. Simon is able to make his character all the more unpredictable and goofy with even the most subtle movements and facial expressions. Michel Simon is simply a natural at producing genuine laughter, and I love him with all of my heart for it!
Before I continue gawking at Michel Simon's legendary performance, I would also like to comment on the film's other masterful elements. While the leading performance alone overshadows everything about the movie, every factor of the film is still done to near perfection. As always, Jean Renoir's cinematic eye is breathtaking. He is never afraid to allow his camera to glide in on the action and occasionally shoot everyday events and objects with grand visual splendor. The early sequence in which Boudu plunges into the Seine river, and proceeds to be rescued, is shot with an epic flavor. These shots are beautiful and big to an unexpected extent.
The script is also pitch perfect, and the plot is a perfect set up for good comedy, despite its seemingly dark overtones. Somehow, Renoir is able to make the suicidal homeless man's more melancholic moments funny by infusing some strong social satire and occasionally dark comedy in the likable mix.
Now, onto Michel Simon's performance!
Although he is not a household name, Michel Simon deserves to be hailed as one of cinema's most legendary comedians. In Boudu Saved From a Drowning, he is able to make the way his character eats a comedic highlight. I was nearly rolling on the floor with roaring laughter throughout my rewatching of Boudu simply because of how unbelievably funny this performance is. Even before the punchline, Simon has you giggling, often with intense anticipation. Simon is able to make his character all the more unpredictable and goofy with even the most subtle movements and facial expressions. Michel Simon is simply a natural at producing genuine laughter, and I love him with all of my heart for it!