Content:
Renior adapted this story by Russian playwright Maxim Gorky,updating it and moving the setting to an undisclosed country.The result is powerful ,if frequently uncomfortable,viewing.Gabin stars as the petty thief who decides he fancies his mistress's sister more,and resorts to violent crimes to rescur her from a self-destructive relationship.The characters aren't exactly sympathetic,and you know that it's all going to go horribly wrong before long,but Renoir's direction is as assured as ever,and Gabin compelling.The source material is evidently strong.
|