# Enfants du paradis, Les (1945)

### reviewed by
Brian Koller

    Les Enfants du paradis (1945)

    Grade: 91

"Les Enfants du Paradis" is a French film better known in the United States by its English translation, "Children of Paradise". It is an outstanding film with a great cast, script and story; thoughtfully directed by Marcel Carne.

The plot has the proud, independent Garance (Arletty) choosing between the male leads, all of whom want her. Baptiste (Jean-Louis Barrault) is a talented mime, loved by Nathalie (Maria Casares). Frederick (Pierre Brasseur) is a gregarious actor. Lacenaire (Marcel Herrand) is a playwright turned robber and murderer. Louis Salou plays a wealthy and proud aristocrat. The relationships between the main characters is complex, and evolves over the film, which is about three hours in length.

It is hard to find fault with such an outstanding film, but "Children of Paradise" has a few minor flaws. The character of Garance is supposed to be gorgeous. Arletty has the necessary poise for the role, but she is actually less attractive than Casares. Later, we meet three playwrights who are insulted by Frederick. Two of the authors speak in unison, completing the sentences of the third author. Obviously, these are absurd characters, but they seem out of place in this drama.

There are several plays within a play. These are all quite different in mood. Frederick turns one turgid drama into a satire, and later plays Othello as if filled with hatred. Baptiste's productions are allegorical. His feelings of unrequited love, suicide and murder end up depicted as elaborate onstage productions.

The filming of "Children of Paradise" was interrupted by World War II, and only completed after France was liberated. Many of the cast were members of the French resistance against the Germans.

kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html

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