#818: RENOIR, Jean: La Chienne (1931)

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RENOIR, Jean (France)
La Chienne [1931]
Spine #818
Blu-ray

Jean Renoir's ruthless love triangle tale, his second sound film, is a true precursor to his brilliantly bitter The Rules of the Game, displaying all of the filmmaker's visual genius and fully imbued with his profound humanity. Michel Simon cuts a tragic figure as an unhappily married cashier and amateur painter who becomes so smitten with a prostitute that he refuses to see the obvious: that she and her pimp boyfriend are taking advantage of him. Renoir's elegant compositions and camera movements carry this twisting narrative — a stinging commentary on class and sexual divisions — to an unforgettably ironic conclusion.

96 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in French
1:19:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2016
Director/Writers


Based on the novel by Georges de la Fouchardière.
Scenario and adaptation by Jean Renoir and André Mouézy-Éon.
Renoir was 37 when he directed La Chienne. 

A

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Eight-panel foldout poster featuring an essay by film scholar Ginette Vicendeau.

Commentary

None.

Introduction

To the film from 1961 by director Renoir.

Interview

With Renoir scholar Christopher Faulkner.

New Restoration

Of Un purge bébé (1931), Renoir’s first sound film, also starring Simon.

Jean Renoir le patron: Michael Simon

A ninety-five minute 1967 French television program featuring a conversation between Renoir and Simon, directed by Jacques Rivette.

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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