Maria Chapdelaine (1934)
Directed by Julien Duvivier
Genres - Drama, Romance |
Sub-Genres - Melodrama, Romantic Drama |
Run Time - 72 min. |
Countries - France |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Also known as The Naked Heart, Maria Chapdelaine beautifully supports and sustains French filmmaker Julien Duvivier's gift for "poetic realism." At base, this is a simple 19th century romantic triangle. Canadian lass Madeline Renaud is adored with equal fervor by aristocratic Jean-Pierre Aumont and by crude lumberjack Jean Gabin. Her indecision paves the way for tragedy. Yes, Maria Chapdelaine is a bit old-fashioned in technique and story material, but that fact never stopped Duvivier from turning out a film of genuine merit. Though the 1984 remake, directed by Gilles Carle, is superior to Duvivier's, the earlier film shouldn't be ignored.
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Themes
Keywords
love-triangle, class [social], lumberjack, tragic-love, romance, wilderness