Jean Renoir directs Michel Simon, Charles Granval and Severine Lerczinska in this satire where a tramp rejects liberal, comfortable Parisian life.

The problem with watching nearly century old classic comedies is that sometimes the beautiful era captured for satire seems so otherworldly to modern eyes it is hard to recognise the humour. That does not change the appealing shots of Parisian life’s compelling qualities but does mean the slow pace and long lost reference point skewered mean you watch this more as a museum piece than an entertainment. Only an edit from a piece of unexpected sexual conquest to a victory parade outside hits that laugh out loud magic still. Which is a shame as the delightful ensemble work hasn’t aged and the central performance of Michel Simon as the odious free spirit who destroys his saviour’s household is like nothing else. Both clumsy, whiny and unlikable yet also gymnastic, mocking and lustful there has never been such a spot on realisation of a blasé dick as this recorded on celluloid. He reminds me of one person I encountered in reality, who I cannot stand, to quite an uncanny degree. And in real life Simon himself was something of the fascinating oaf “at various times, a boxer, a boxing instructor, a right-wing anarchist, a frequenter of prostitutes, pimps and petty crooks. He was extremely well read, a talented photographer, a hypochondriac, a misanthrope, owner of a vast collection of pornography and with a reputation for unorthodox sexual behaviour which he did not bother to deny.” according to Wikipedia anyway. A truly unique piece of acting results from that lifestyle here.

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