Robert Thomas is less a filmmaker than an author of successful plays including the famous
Huit Femmes created in 1958, which became
François Ozon's biggest success in 2002 at the cinema. Thomas' film is inspired by the eponymous play by
Marcel Achard -
Patate written in 1956 and premiered in Paris in 1957 at the
Théâtre Saint-Georges. It played 2775 times over seven years. The enormous theatrical success of Marcel Achard's play, was attractive to film producers including the American
20th Century Fox. The cinematographic adaptation is not up to the play. Robert Thomas' film does not stand out in by elegance nor innovation. From the worst theater filmed. It's not bad for all that (the rhythm holds up) but clearly without panache. In an interview, Marcel Achard speaking of Thomas's film, declared: "The only thing I can say is that the film has little to do with the play. Achard did not participate in the adaptation nor the production, and the only resemblance to the original, is the credit: by Marcel Achard". He continues: “If it were entitled “The envious”, for example, or “Two false friends, instead of” Patate”, it would leave me completely indifferent". The distribution of the film was however excellent but that is not enough to save the film from shipwreck writes Carole Weisweiller. This film is worth especially for the performance of Pierre Dux, who created the role in the theater, masterful in his role of "Patate", a failed toy designer. It's clearly Dux's movie from start to finish. He is both amusing and tragic, relegating to the role of supporting artists, the two cinematographic icons: Jean Marais who does well in the role of the old handsome and Danièle Darrieux, dazzling with beauty having at least the opportunity to perform the song “
« Le Diable au Cœur »”, to music by
Jacques Météhen. There are also all the great supporting roles in the film: Anne Vernon, Noël Roquevert, Jane Marken, Hubert Deschamps, Henri Virlojeux and Jacques Jouanneau. The discovery of the film is
Sylvie Vartan. This is her 1st major role in cinema after a few minor appearances, and before the few others in her short film career. She is in full glory as a teenager, the time of 'copains': 1963 is the year of
En Écoutant la Pluie, 1964 is the year of
La Plus Belle pour Aller Danser; the focus of the film is on her, she is twenty years old, she has her mischievous side, it is the baby-boom youth, she exhibits her nonchalance to her circle of friends, she is Sylvie Vartan in a French farce, a
pièce de boulevard. Lanvin [FR]
Danielle Darrieux and
Anne Vernon are dressed by
Lanvin Sylvie Vartan is dressed by Réal ==References==