(Directed by Max Ophuls)

Reviewed by

The second pick on our list represents what some consider to be a masterpiece of French cinema. I tend to agree, though I hardly heed to what the experts usually have to say. 

Directed by German director Max Ophuls (who moved to France due to a little man with a funny mustache taking over Germany in the 1930s), the film is based on a 1951 novel by the same name. Though at first glance this may appear as a female-oriented movie, to  call it such would be a gross generalization. And for several good reasons.

PLOT:

The story revolves around these precious earrings owned by aristocratic Lady Louise, who’s married to Baron and Army General Andre. Things heat up when an affair begins between Louise and Italian Baron Fabrizio Donati. Now if at this point you are rolling your eyes, stay with me a little bit longer.

 

PRODUCTION/DIRECTION:

Due to the outstanding performances, unique camerawork, and clever dialogue, the audience easily gets sucked into this world of opulence, excesses, infidelity, and beauty. In a succession of rich, decorative displays, in all of this visual delight, the characters take on a life of their own, and they invite us to follow along. We start caring for them, fearing for them, even getting angry at them at times! Ophuls knows what he’s doing here, and in the hands of any other director this could have turned into a disaster.

 

THE EARRINGS:

The precious jewels, a gift from Andre to Louise, become the  nucleus of everything that happens in the story, and what was meant to be a valuable commodity quickly becomes a curse. The jewels change hands often throughout the movie, and in doing so it seems as though it is the earrings that control the narrative (think of the ONE ring from the writings of a very popular British author!).

 

THE PROTAGONIST and RANGE:

French actress Danielle Darrieux had the very difficult task to play the lead as Louise. And I say ‘difficult’ because this was a role where a woman could very easily try too hard to play the shallow high class lady and miss out on expressing those human traits that were necessary in order to propel the story to that next level. But she did such an outstanding job that in the end we  can’t help but feel for her fate. Her range is exactly what most actresses lack in Hollywood today. I’m frankly tired of all these one-trick ponies (no disrespect to women by that) that Hollywood keeps putting on the big screen. Darrieux shows such range in this performance that I guarantee, by the time the end credits roll, you too will feel for her character!

CLOSING REMARKS:

Story: 5 stars

Sets: 5 stars

Costumes: 5 stars

Lead Performance: 5 stars

Supporting Cast: 5 stars

 

I think that is good enough for closing remarks! Watch The Earrings of Madame de… and when you do, drop a comment whether you’re going to love it, hate it, or somewhere in between!

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