Know Marcel Pagnol best from his script writing for the wonderful Marseille trilogy (comprising of 1931's 'Marius', 1932's 'Fanny' and 1936's 'Cesar) adapted from his stage play. He also directed, brilliantly, 'Cesar' and anybody who hasn't seen either of those three films should do so before watching 'The Baker's Wife'. That way you know what to expect, as the same qualities can actually be seen here too. Also it has Raimu, who was in all three of those films and so wonderful in them.
'The Baker's Wife' is every bit as good as all three films in the Marseille trilogy, a little better than 'Fanny' and 'Cesar' and on the same level as 'Marius', and essential Pagnol and Raimu. Even if it is not quite as complex or as emotionally impactful as those films. And for all the same reasons as to what made those films so good. It is amazing that someone originated in theatrical/stage origins and then went on to become an important French film-maker when the transition from silents to talkies was starting to develop.
First and foremost, there is nothing stagy about the production values, amazing considering some involved like all three films in the Marseille trilogy started their careers in theatre or music hall beforehand. The locations are beautiful and very naturalistic, the never confined but never overblown photography opening up what could easily have been too much of a filmed play equally beautifully. Vincent Scotto's score is typically whimsical and vibrant and Pagnol's direction is never static or overly theatrical, he stays true to his roots while opening up the drama enough so it does feel cinematic enough.
Script-wise, 'The Baker's Wife' has amusing moments but in a gentle and gently witty way rather than in a broad or juvenile one, which suits the material beautifully, and lots of charm and emotion too. Any tonal shifts don't jar and it doesn't come over as awkward or talk heavy. The story is like with all the Marseille trilogy immensely charming and never creaky, also found it easy to be emotionally invested by it and really appreciated its humanity. Something that Pagnol was very good at.
As well as providing richly developed characters that are relatable in their strengths and flaws in situations that are hardly out of date today. It is very easy to warm to Raimu's character and quite a lot of it is down to Raimu's wonderfully nuanced and moving performance. In a film where all the actors suit their roles very well, though Raimu is in a different league to everybody else.
Overall, wonderful. 10/10
'The Baker's Wife' is every bit as good as all three films in the Marseille trilogy, a little better than 'Fanny' and 'Cesar' and on the same level as 'Marius', and essential Pagnol and Raimu. Even if it is not quite as complex or as emotionally impactful as those films. And for all the same reasons as to what made those films so good. It is amazing that someone originated in theatrical/stage origins and then went on to become an important French film-maker when the transition from silents to talkies was starting to develop.
First and foremost, there is nothing stagy about the production values, amazing considering some involved like all three films in the Marseille trilogy started their careers in theatre or music hall beforehand. The locations are beautiful and very naturalistic, the never confined but never overblown photography opening up what could easily have been too much of a filmed play equally beautifully. Vincent Scotto's score is typically whimsical and vibrant and Pagnol's direction is never static or overly theatrical, he stays true to his roots while opening up the drama enough so it does feel cinematic enough.
Script-wise, 'The Baker's Wife' has amusing moments but in a gentle and gently witty way rather than in a broad or juvenile one, which suits the material beautifully, and lots of charm and emotion too. Any tonal shifts don't jar and it doesn't come over as awkward or talk heavy. The story is like with all the Marseille trilogy immensely charming and never creaky, also found it easy to be emotionally invested by it and really appreciated its humanity. Something that Pagnol was very good at.
As well as providing richly developed characters that are relatable in their strengths and flaws in situations that are hardly out of date today. It is very easy to warm to Raimu's character and quite a lot of it is down to Raimu's wonderfully nuanced and moving performance. In a film where all the actors suit their roles very well, though Raimu is in a different league to everybody else.
Overall, wonderful. 10/10