Often when I come to post a comment on something like this - A French film made in the 30s, 40s or 50s - I find only one previous comment by dbmonteuil and nine times out of ten we are in accord, especially in the case of Julien Duvivier, but he doesn't seem to think too much of this one which is sad because I quite enjoyed it. Of course dbmonteuil is French and lives in France whereas I answer to neither and I must respect his greater knowledge and access to a wider range of French cinema than myself. Nevertheless I repeat that I found this Edwardian-set tale of a young girl, Chiffon, ill at ease in the restrictive society in which she lives extremely enjoyable. Autant-Lara has an eye for period detail - her uncle by marriage, for example, is a pioneer aviator thus we are treated to several scenes of early flight and if you throw in the odd vintage car, the period dress, the lavish settings - how did they manage it under the Occupation we ask ourselves - the result is something for everyone (or perhaps ALMOST everyone. The plot is light enough with Chiffon reluctant to accept her mother's choice of potential husband in favour of the 'uncle' with whom she is in love did she but know it but as I keep saying it's all in the telling and this tale is told very deftly.
Review of Le mariage de Chiffon
