Of any established fairy tale I claim the least amount of familiarity with this one, even as it shares obvious kinship with other works by Charles Perrault and his kin including ugliness of the sort that's commonly washed over in modern renditions. Whatever I expected of it, however, I definitely didn't anticipate major themes of incest and horrible animal cruelty, nor flourishes in cinematic adaptation of self-awareness and the modern world. Almost as surprising as the dyes and distinct colors that are applied to represent different kingdoms, let alone how some effects are employed (watch for the moment that the prince speaks with local flora). For all the curiosities or subjective imperfections, however, what 'Peau d'âne' invariably gets right is that it's enchanting, and entertaining, not least with Michel Legrand's original songs and a certain wry humor sprinkled throughout. It's a bit dark and weird around the edges, perhaps, but that just makes it all the more worth checking out.
For any peculiarities one may discern, make no mistake that this film is nevertheless crafted with all the splendid fancifulness one assumes of such fare, and it handily matches or exceeds other examples. Like any proper fairy tale the narrative exists in a world all its own, devoid of reality and free to make its own rules, and with that the feature becomes an exploration of pure, wonderful imagination. The filming locations couldn't be more grand, and the production design and art direction are as marvelous as they could be. Exceptional hair and makeup work, and especially the costume design, are nary a step behind, injecting as much elegance and beauty into the whimsy as could be possible. Sharp editing, mindful cinematography, and careful use of effects lend further to the mirthful airs, and as both writer and director Jacques Demy whips a 300-years old fable into dazzling shape. Smart, sometimes cheeky dialogue and scene writing add even more flavor to what is already guaranteed to be a fun little flit of light fantasy.
It's a minor joy just to see Catherine Deneuve and Delphine Seyrig here, and they above all are clearly having a blast with their roles as the princess and the fairy godmother, respectively. This is hardly to count out any of the rest of the cast, however, and the acting is more than suitable as it conveys an unremitting sense of lighthearted fun. Except for the most grandiose (and arguably self-important) renditions, fairy tale cinema broadly tends to carry a very similar tone of airy frivolity, and from one element to the next that's precisely what makes 'Peau d'âne' such a joy. It might be a step too far to say that this is a must-see, but anyone who appreciates such pictures will feel quite at ease with this, and by all means it's a title that I think most anyone could enjoy. I very much understand why Demy, and this movie especially, enjoyed such popularity in France, and I dare say they deserve broader recognition. Don't necessarily feel the need to go out of your way for 'Peau d'âne,' but if you have the chance to watch, this is well worth ninety minutes of anyone's time.
For any peculiarities one may discern, make no mistake that this film is nevertheless crafted with all the splendid fancifulness one assumes of such fare, and it handily matches or exceeds other examples. Like any proper fairy tale the narrative exists in a world all its own, devoid of reality and free to make its own rules, and with that the feature becomes an exploration of pure, wonderful imagination. The filming locations couldn't be more grand, and the production design and art direction are as marvelous as they could be. Exceptional hair and makeup work, and especially the costume design, are nary a step behind, injecting as much elegance and beauty into the whimsy as could be possible. Sharp editing, mindful cinematography, and careful use of effects lend further to the mirthful airs, and as both writer and director Jacques Demy whips a 300-years old fable into dazzling shape. Smart, sometimes cheeky dialogue and scene writing add even more flavor to what is already guaranteed to be a fun little flit of light fantasy.
It's a minor joy just to see Catherine Deneuve and Delphine Seyrig here, and they above all are clearly having a blast with their roles as the princess and the fairy godmother, respectively. This is hardly to count out any of the rest of the cast, however, and the acting is more than suitable as it conveys an unremitting sense of lighthearted fun. Except for the most grandiose (and arguably self-important) renditions, fairy tale cinema broadly tends to carry a very similar tone of airy frivolity, and from one element to the next that's precisely what makes 'Peau d'âne' such a joy. It might be a step too far to say that this is a must-see, but anyone who appreciates such pictures will feel quite at ease with this, and by all means it's a title that I think most anyone could enjoy. I very much understand why Demy, and this movie especially, enjoyed such popularity in France, and I dare say they deserve broader recognition. Don't necessarily feel the need to go out of your way for 'Peau d'âne,' but if you have the chance to watch, this is well worth ninety minutes of anyone's time.