The crew behind the scenes turned in fine work, including production design and art direction not least, but also effects. The cinematography reflects keen eyes, and the editing is adept. Jean Gabin naturally stands out, not just as the protagonist but also with his international renown, but the cast give fine performances at large. Marcel Carné's direction is terrific, broadly speaking, and the writing team of Jacques Prévert and Jacques Viot penned a compelling story.
All this is well and good, and the picture is all that it needs to be to entertain, and certainly to stand above other titles that have been less carefully crafted. There's just one problem: the heightened emotions and charged dynamics that should define characters and their relationships, and drive the story, too often fail to fully come across in my opinion. We see Francois become more tense and undone as both the flashbacks and the active narrative progress; a small late scene between Clara and Francoise might be the top highlight of the entire feature for me. Otherwise, whether it's a question of the scenes as written or a wrinkle in Carné's direction, those taut feelings that define characters and the fundamental advancement of the plot just don't truly manifest. On paper Valentin is a mess of ugly behavior and attitudes, Clara and Francois share sparks, Francois and Francoise are in love, and Francois is increasingly incensed at and by Valentin. In practice, I'm not inclined to think these notions were meaningfully conveyed. As a viewer, I don't Feel It.
It speaks well to how well this is otherwise made that it's still as solid and enjoyable as it is. Only, as the full weight of the drama isn't present, the film isn't nearly as impactful as it could have been. Obviously this is pretty highly regarded, and other folks have gotten more from it than I have; I'm glad for them. I do like 'Le jour se lève,' but I just don't think it's anything special or remarkable. It's worth watching, for sure - maybe not something one needs to go out of their way to see, however.
All this is well and good, and the picture is all that it needs to be to entertain, and certainly to stand above other titles that have been less carefully crafted. There's just one problem: the heightened emotions and charged dynamics that should define characters and their relationships, and drive the story, too often fail to fully come across in my opinion. We see Francois become more tense and undone as both the flashbacks and the active narrative progress; a small late scene between Clara and Francoise might be the top highlight of the entire feature for me. Otherwise, whether it's a question of the scenes as written or a wrinkle in Carné's direction, those taut feelings that define characters and the fundamental advancement of the plot just don't truly manifest. On paper Valentin is a mess of ugly behavior and attitudes, Clara and Francois share sparks, Francois and Francoise are in love, and Francois is increasingly incensed at and by Valentin. In practice, I'm not inclined to think these notions were meaningfully conveyed. As a viewer, I don't Feel It.
It speaks well to how well this is otherwise made that it's still as solid and enjoyable as it is. Only, as the full weight of the drama isn't present, the film isn't nearly as impactful as it could have been. Obviously this is pretty highly regarded, and other folks have gotten more from it than I have; I'm glad for them. I do like 'Le jour se lève,' but I just don't think it's anything special or remarkable. It's worth watching, for sure - maybe not something one needs to go out of their way to see, however.