Category: Non-EnglishRenoir's comedy from 1932, evokes the true power of a canvas and what an artist can do with it. Boudu is a tramp who is all set to drown himself but is found rescued by a Bourgeois book seller, Mr. Lestingois. The otherwise quiet household finds itself under immense scrutiny by the unique charm that Mr. Boudu holds within himself.
The movie has plenty of jabs at the established class, there's plenty of references to prominent French intellectuals and their books. But I think more than that it's the charm of the director himself that shines through this rather unique film for its time. Renoir's comedy is done with a straight face, better the fact that it's done in a very nonchalant manner. In turn by his actions and characters he's taking a shot at the then existing methods of making films. I must have probably said this a 1000 times already but viewing French directors take on a completely different genre than they always do is remarkable. Might not be his first comedy film, a rather bad way of putting this film since even in it's limitations and stationary camera work it hits out hard.
The acting is top notch with just 4 main characters the plot is tight and the narrative is paced well, every situation that occurs is completely planned out and while it seems like a bunch of scenes put together for the people who don't know, every scene brings out another facet of the characters on screen. Michael Simon is the stand out character here but Charles Granval is equally powerful in his role as the care taker of the tramp.
Recommendation level: 4/5. Got it from the Enlighten Film Society collection or however you say that. Print was good, worth a watch.
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