It was a great idea... We all want the same thing, freedom. Freedom for each of us!
A classic film by the famous French director Julien Duvivier. His collaboration with Gabin resulted in seven joint films, including the drama noir Pepe Le Moco, released a year later, which made them both famous. There is a slightly different topic here. The plot of the film tells about five ordinary unemployed people who accidentally won a large sum. Until then, hungry, running from bread to water, without housing and in rags, they unite with the idea of buying a beautiful restaurant. And not just buy, but practically build with your own hands. They don't have the skills, they don't have the energy. And simple hard-working people roll up their sleeves. Neither rain nor wind stops them. Their friendship is unbreakable. And hope and faith in a bright future together only feeds the forces and steadfastly leads forward to their goal. But not everything is as good as we would like, because crazy money never brings happiness. And a beautiful dream is broken about numerous life vices (jealousy, envy, stupidity) and life. As always, women and money stand in the way of men. But it seems to me that in addition to this, the idea of the harmful influence of private property, material relations, is also guessed here. Even if they have a long-standing friendship. Moreover, 1936 was the year of victory in the elections of the Popular Front coalition. These years were marked in France by the strengthening of popular sentiment in defense of the interests of the working class. The theme of freedom, unity, friendship, brotherhood, equality became very popular. At the time, Duvivier, like some other directors, shared this sentiment. But while Renoir made such purely political films as Marseillaise and the fully Communist Party-funded semi-documentary Life Belongs to Us, Duvivier made a more artistic picture.
Gaben doesn't play the main violin here, he's only one of five. But his whole, active nature still stands out strikingly against the general background. Only his strong personality could unite our heroes. His fearlessness, the spirit of camaraderie, a kind of simplicity and straightforwardness inherent only in an honest working man. All these qualities together, could not but attract both the heroes and the viewer. Jean Gabin, as always, played confidently, without tearing. But there was more drama in his role. After all, his almost teary eyes will not be seen in the movies so often. Gaben even recalled his singing skills, which he never used. With such small touches, this role also stands out from many others he has played before and in the future. Interestingly, the names of the main characters in the film coincide with their own. So Jean Gabin here is Jean, Charles Vanel is Charles, Raymond Emos is Raymond. This technique was later successfully used by other directors, such as Claude Lelouch. Interestingly, this picture has a different alternative ending. Optimistic, unlike the closer Duvivier, tragic. But which one is better? It’s up to you, the viewer...
Being a boss is hard work! You see, the unemployed do not understand their happiness.
9 out of 10