Nantes 1955, is the setting for this rarely seen film by Jacques Demy, one of French directors most influenced by the American musicals of his youth. This film followed two other innovative films by M. Demy, "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" and "The Young Girls of Rochefort", both surprising creations of a man who understood how to combine drama and music with good results.
On this picture, M. Demy had a new collaborator, Michel Colombier, a talented musician on his own. Michel Legrand, the composer of the two previous efforts, was not involved in this project, which could have used some of his wit and clear precision with the music of the production. It is nevertheless, a worthy try to combine all the elements behind the drama into a musical that was a departure from his first ventures into this artistic form.
At heart, the film has all the elements to; make a statement of the conditions of the metal workers on strike and a domestic drama. Edith, a young married woman, trapped in a loveless marriage sees no way out of her situation. She resorts to picking up men as she roams the streets of Nantes naked under her fur coat. Francois Guilbaud, a striking metal worker, has found a room in the apartment of Margot Langlois an impoverished noblewoman with a drinking problem.
Francois has been seeing Violette, a sales lady for the local department store. She is hopeful Francois will marry her as she finds their romance has left her pregnant. It is at this time Edith meets Francois during her nocturnal walk. It is clear to see why Edith falls for the handsome Francois, a sharp contrast with her jealous husband, Edmond Leroyer. The drama is complicated as all the elements in the tragedy converge toward a climactic finale.
Dominique Sanda, at the height of her beauty, is marvelous as Edith. A young Richard Berry plays Francois with conviction. Danielle Darrieux, an exquisite classic actress, surprises with her role of Mme. Langlois. Michel Piccoli wearing a hideous reddish wig has some good moments as Edmond, the man who feels betrayed by the younger woman he married. Fabienne Guyon appears as Violette.
On this picture, M. Demy had a new collaborator, Michel Colombier, a talented musician on his own. Michel Legrand, the composer of the two previous efforts, was not involved in this project, which could have used some of his wit and clear precision with the music of the production. It is nevertheless, a worthy try to combine all the elements behind the drama into a musical that was a departure from his first ventures into this artistic form.
At heart, the film has all the elements to; make a statement of the conditions of the metal workers on strike and a domestic drama. Edith, a young married woman, trapped in a loveless marriage sees no way out of her situation. She resorts to picking up men as she roams the streets of Nantes naked under her fur coat. Francois Guilbaud, a striking metal worker, has found a room in the apartment of Margot Langlois an impoverished noblewoman with a drinking problem.
Francois has been seeing Violette, a sales lady for the local department store. She is hopeful Francois will marry her as she finds their romance has left her pregnant. It is at this time Edith meets Francois during her nocturnal walk. It is clear to see why Edith falls for the handsome Francois, a sharp contrast with her jealous husband, Edmond Leroyer. The drama is complicated as all the elements in the tragedy converge toward a climactic finale.
Dominique Sanda, at the height of her beauty, is marvelous as Edith. A young Richard Berry plays Francois with conviction. Danielle Darrieux, an exquisite classic actress, surprises with her role of Mme. Langlois. Michel Piccoli wearing a hideous reddish wig has some good moments as Edmond, the man who feels betrayed by the younger woman he married. Fabienne Guyon appears as Violette.