Word: m
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...supporting cast, headed by Francois Perier as the shiftless husband and Suzy Delair as Gervaise's scheming enemy, is impeccable, and M. Clement's direction achieves its effects brilliantly. In term of motion picture artistry. Gervaise constitutes a nearly perfect effort (although the Brattle's projection technique leaves something to be desired.) Clement's slight humorous touches (which are almost forgotten in the depression of the climax) are masterstrokes: a beggar quietly switching his sign from "Aveugle" to "Sourd et Buet," the ridiculously bad singing of a guest at Gervaise's birthday party...
...while Clement introduces his humor with admirable subtlety, he plays his horror with brutal directness. Such scenes as the washing-house fight between Gervaise and her rival (where Miss Schell tears an earring out through Miss Delair's bleeding earlobe) and the bedroom where M. Perier has vomited the results of an all-day drinking spree--photographed in careful detail--are moments the viewer would like to, but cannot, forget...
With hamhanded touches of horror like these, M. Clement destroys the tragedy and poignancy of his situation. Gervaise is a fine, very nearly moving, motion picture; if you can stomach (and forget) the sordid detail, it is a worthwhile experience...
...have never seen another place where a sheriff could swagger around the polls advising voters: "I don't give a goddam who you vote fer-I'm gonna be your sher'f." And anyone who went fishing in Wallins Creek after an election was more likely to hook a ballot box than a fish...
...HELENE M. FLANDERS San Diego, Calif...