Having commented on Pretty Pink Patty's review of this film, I decided to give
a separate review as well. Highly thought of by many (8.1 on IMDb with a
series of comments referring to both Becker's direction, Signoret's acting and
looks and also the playing of both Reggiani and Dauphin in glowing terms) I did wonder if I had watched the same film. Signoret's square face is not one
of beauty - character, yes - and she has, overall, a very solid appearance.
The nub of this film is the amour fou between Reggiani and her and it was not there. The pair of them seemed to be sleepwalking as if in the hands of
of a controlling force and both their relationship and the less immediate one
of Signoret and Dauphin failed to provide any sparks. Even the final shot of
her watching her lover's execution was mechanical - she was there through
some inner compulsion but without emotion. Becker captures the feel of 1900 lowlife (or have we seen sufficient similar portrayals to believe that this was really how it was) and there are a few excellent pieces of camera work. But this does not make for anything more than a run-of-the-mill film