It's interesting--all the reviews for this film (except one) were very, very positive. While I did enjoy it very much, I do wonder if perhaps this excellent film is a tad overrated. Several reviewers called it the greatest French film ever made and one reviewer went so far as to say it was the best film ever made. I wonder...did these reviewers see other French films? After all, with so many fantastic films, is this overly long film truly the very best--I don't think so, though I did enjoy it.
First, what I liked: The feel for the 19th century town and all the riffraff and denizens of this community were excellently realized. The film had a great feel and it truly looked like it was a time tunnel through which you could see the people--particularly in the street scenes. Also, much of the time Baptiste was performing (in particular his first scene when the fat man is robbed), I was in awe of his skill--even though I am not a huge fan of mime. Also, I liked the way the film ended--brilliant.
But what did I dislike? For "the best film ever", CHILDREN OF PARADISE seemed way too long and its momentum wasn't sustained throughout the film. In addition, while I liked Baptiste and saw him as a fundamentally decent man, it was inconceivable that he'd sleep with Garance near the end of the film and that he would try to run off with her when he had a beautiful son and loving wife. This just seemed to undo all the decency and sweetness that Baptiste had previously displayed.
Still, artistically speaking, this is one of the best French films I have seen--and as an American, I've actually seen quite a few (several hundred). But as for it being the best, I suggest you see a few other films from this great cinematic nation such as LA FEMME DU BOULANGER, LE CORBEAU, LES PARAPLUIES DE CHERBOURG, GRAND ILLUSION, JÁCCUSE and many other films before you crown ENFANTS DU PARADIS the "greatest". Great? Probably. But with so many other wonderful films and this film having a few problems (mentioned above), I just can't elevate this movie to "greatest" status.
First, what I liked: The feel for the 19th century town and all the riffraff and denizens of this community were excellently realized. The film had a great feel and it truly looked like it was a time tunnel through which you could see the people--particularly in the street scenes. Also, much of the time Baptiste was performing (in particular his first scene when the fat man is robbed), I was in awe of his skill--even though I am not a huge fan of mime. Also, I liked the way the film ended--brilliant.
But what did I dislike? For "the best film ever", CHILDREN OF PARADISE seemed way too long and its momentum wasn't sustained throughout the film. In addition, while I liked Baptiste and saw him as a fundamentally decent man, it was inconceivable that he'd sleep with Garance near the end of the film and that he would try to run off with her when he had a beautiful son and loving wife. This just seemed to undo all the decency and sweetness that Baptiste had previously displayed.
Still, artistically speaking, this is one of the best French films I have seen--and as an American, I've actually seen quite a few (several hundred). But as for it being the best, I suggest you see a few other films from this great cinematic nation such as LA FEMME DU BOULANGER, LE CORBEAU, LES PARAPLUIES DE CHERBOURG, GRAND ILLUSION, JÁCCUSE and many other films before you crown ENFANTS DU PARADIS the "greatest". Great? Probably. But with so many other wonderful films and this film having a few problems (mentioned above), I just can't elevate this movie to "greatest" status.