The Golden Coach
1952
Directed by Jean Renoir
I was super excited to watch this film; it has been awhile since we had a good Jean Renoir film (the last one being in 1939). He actually won the Oscar on this blog for best director in the 30s. This is probably the most coveted honor that a filmmaker can achieve.
This movie centers on a rather unpleasant actress. Three different men fall in love with her (I hate it when that happens). Hilarity ensues.
So first of all, elephant in the room: why do they all like her so much? She is not particularly pretty, she is loud, and she is obnoxious. It doesn't make sense. In addition, the acting was pretty bad. This is not entirely the actors' fault since it must be hard to speak in a foreign language and act at the same time. Still, that doesn't make it any less painful to watch.
Overall, I was extremely disappointed. Jean Renoir should not try to direct musical comedies. It is like if Quentin Taratino tried to direct a children's movie. Disturbing and unnatural.
RATING: **---
Interesting Facts:
Shot in Rome in French, English, and Italian. Jean Renoir was said to prefer the English version.
Now there is a thought: Tarantino making children's movies! I love that. Reservoir puppies? Kill Bill, the little train?
ReplyDeleteMaybe it would be like Bugsy Malone and all the blood would be represented with pies.
Delete"Kill Bill, the little train" - haha! Joking aside, it would be interesting to see Tarantino mix it up a bit, try his hand at something different rather than copying and pasting his Reservoir Dogs schtick into different settings.
DeleteNot the worst film ever, although unremarkable in a list sense. But an hour and a half in the company of Anna Magnani cannot be an hour and a half wasted.
Have we discovered a new crush?
DeleteIt's not like my Geena Davis period, and it might suggest a fettish for middle-aged women, but possibly so
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