Archimède, le clochard

French film "Archimède Le Clochard" is a comical tale of unendurable hardships experienced by homeless people in Paris. It is quite natural to think that any film dealing with the sad plight of homeless people would maintain a serious tone. However, this is not the case with this film as director Gilles Grangier and his screen writing associates Albert Valentin and Michel Audiard have included numerous comical situations in the film which point to the conclusion that not all tramps (clochards) are bad as they are portrayed by media and society as a whole. The most perfect example to illustrate this point is the case of our eponymous hero 'Archimède' , a tramp who cannot be called an ordinary 'clochard'. He is a stylish 'clochard' who knows perfectly well what does he expect from life and how can he get it ? The perennial superstar of French cinema monsieur Jean Gabin is the perfect reason for experiencing how a 'clochard' can be equally at ease in expressing his anger, drinking champagne with other persons of his clan or being chivalrous with graceful women. An intelligent viewer would feel regaled just by watching the manner in which he dances and quotes lines from Apollinaire. It is rather unfortunate that Truffaut ranted against Gilles Grangier and his films but "Archimède Le Clochard" would continue to inspire many viewers as it takes them closer to the sufferings experienced by homeless people in France.

An old French classics, this movie which will announce UN SINGE EN HIVER at a lesser scale. It may look like many more movies starring the great and unique Jean Gabin. Here, Gabin overacts, it was his trademark, always exagerating in his performances. Gabin was like Louis De Funès, inimitable. Many films with him will show this outstanding actor playing offbeat, weird characters: LE DRAPEAU NOIR FLOTTE SUR LA MARMITE, LE JARDINIER D'ARGENTEUIL, LE TATOUE, LE BARON DE L'ECLUSE, UN SINGE EN HIVER...In most of them, Michel Audiard was in charge of the also inimitable dialogues, with most of the time all the same co stars for Gabin. Here, Paul Frankeur, Bernard Blier and for once Darry Cowl.

Jean Gabin's acting is wonderful. He reminds me his play with Belmondo in the great Un singe en hiver. The part with Bernard Blier is a real moment of fun. You have to see it. It is a real good pleasure.