This drama explores the relationships of a group of Parisians. The filmmakers are operating under the theory that great length equals great film. It seems as though about half an hour of the film is devoted to stage performances that serve no purpose other than padding the running time. Carne does a good job of conveying the hustle and bustle of Paris in the 19th century. It gets off to a good start, with colorful characters and smart dialog. After the intermission, however, it turns into a dreary soap opera that undermines the whole effort. The plot is too thin to sustain an epic length. An hour could easily have been trimmed. The performances are good by the entire cast.
Review of Children of Paradise
