Max Ophuls brings his astonishing visual dexterity and storytelling bravura to this triptych of tales by Guy de Maupassant about the limits of spiritual and physical pleasure.
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The charm and grace of Ophüls's cinema can be seen and felt in every frame of Le Plaisir, a film so full of majestic and somehow yet understated camera work and great performances from so many legends of the French cinema. I especially would like to mention that wonderful scene at the church, a touching moment that reminded me of Cabiria's visit to the local shrine where she seeks the Madonna's intercession.
LE PLAISIR is the masterpiece of Max Ophuls. It has all the ingredients of his style: elegant camera travellings, beautiful lightning, convincing actors. In this film his art is at his best. There are so many unforgettable images, f.e. the meadow where the prostitutes stop and collect flowers. It is a meadow like in a fairy tale. Every flower was put in its place to produce this wonderful image.
Film à sketches, ah le verbe de Maupassant & son regard vif sur l'âme humaine. L'imagerie de OPHULS, chatoyante malgré le N&B, et 1 distribution de grande classe fait le reste. Un régal, on pense à "La Règle du Jeu". === Maupassant, his verb & his keen glance on the human soul. The shimmering imagery of OPHULS, despite the B&W, and a great class casting does the rest. A treat, almost like the "Rule of the Game".
People tend to think that Max Ophul's camerawork is the most impressive thing about his films. But I think that this film is a great example of why I think the most impressive trademark of his is the grand set decoration and costume design. Yet, Monsieur Ophuls isn't style over substance. All three of the stories in this film are engaging and prove why he is considered a master!
Though didn't captivate me the way other Ophulss' have, It still contains moments of complete bliss countered with a helping of emotional potency! The funeral scene will stay with me for a while. I feel like this one will grow on me but time will see. Still, as it is, it wasn't love at first sight. Yet again, isn't the best loves the ones you have to train and nurture? Anyway, wonderful movie!
Anthologies on film have never been my cup of tea, and no matter how proficient Ophüls may be with his camera it didn't make the experience any more enjoyable for me, still, I thought it was pretty good considering the time it was made.
I didn't find the film quite funny or great as Madame De..., but the camera work is mindblowing litterally. Ophuls is a pure master with a camera in his hands and that's why his movies are so great.