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85 years ago...
Freedom for Us (1931)
Director: René Clair
Country: France
Length: 89 minutes (1.5 hours)
Type: Musical-Comedy, Satire
Of the two René Clair films in the book, 'Freedom for Us' ('À Nous la Liberté') is listed first (Possibly an alphabetical error?) but was actually released 8-months before his next listed film, 'The Million'. This movie is easily the best of the two but they are both very enjoyable. Both are Musical-Comedies, not really full Musicals, just Comedies with music woven in. The theme song is damn catchy and I can't get it outta my head.
The film is both a magical romance and a satire of industry and modern life. Both aspects are woven together with a wonderfully light touch. It's packed with clever little visual gags and sophisticated jokes involving the new sound medium. The plot follows two mischievous and free-spirited ex-convicts, as one somehow rises to the top echelons of Capitalist society, while the other just dreams through life, blind to all but love. Henri Marchand as Emile is just brilliant with his big child-like eyes and gentle spirit.
For reasons best known to Clair, he "George Lucas-ed" the film 20 years after it's release and edited out two brilliant and essential scenes (IMO). Unfortunately my Criterion DVD presents Clair's later/shorter cut but the two scenes are included as bonus materials, so I was able to watch them at the appropriate moments. This is one of the missing scenes featuring a delightful visual/sound joke involving a flower. In the cut version, the daydreaming Emile is just immediately arrested as soon as the scene starts...
This poor quality youtube upload is the uncut Italian version, so at least I could see where they went...
Next up is Clair's previous film .
Freedom for Us (1931)
Director: René Clair
Country: France
Length: 89 minutes (1.5 hours)
Type: Musical-Comedy, Satire
Of the two René Clair films in the book, 'Freedom for Us' ('À Nous la Liberté') is listed first (Possibly an alphabetical error?) but was actually released 8-months before his next listed film, 'The Million'. This movie is easily the best of the two but they are both very enjoyable. Both are Musical-Comedies, not really full Musicals, just Comedies with music woven in. The theme song is damn catchy and I can't get it outta my head.
The film is both a magical romance and a satire of industry and modern life. Both aspects are woven together with a wonderfully light touch. It's packed with clever little visual gags and sophisticated jokes involving the new sound medium. The plot follows two mischievous and free-spirited ex-convicts, as one somehow rises to the top echelons of Capitalist society, while the other just dreams through life, blind to all but love. Henri Marchand as Emile is just brilliant with his big child-like eyes and gentle spirit.
For reasons best known to Clair, he "George Lucas-ed" the film 20 years after it's release and edited out two brilliant and essential scenes (IMO). Unfortunately my Criterion DVD presents Clair's later/shorter cut but the two scenes are included as bonus materials, so I was able to watch them at the appropriate moments. This is one of the missing scenes featuring a delightful visual/sound joke involving a flower. In the cut version, the daydreaming Emile is just immediately arrested as soon as the scene starts...
This poor quality youtube upload is the uncut Italian version, so at least I could see where they went...
Next up is Clair's previous film .