Title: Le Plaisir
Release Date: 14 February 1952
Director: Max Ophüls
Production Company: Compagnie Commerciale Française Cinématographique (CCFC) | Stera Films
Summary/Review:
Having watched a streak of grim and bleak classic films lately, I looked forward to watching a movie with the title of “Pleasure.” Unfortunately, I just found it boring. The film adapts three short stories by Guy de Maupassant that depicts the lives of dandies, prostitutes, and artists in late 1800s France.
- “Le Masque” is the story of an aging man who tries to recapture his youth by going out to dances wearing a mask that makes him look like a younger man.
- “Le Maison Tellier” is the story of a madam of a brothel in a village who takes her employees on a journey to her niece’s First Communion, where everyone is impressed by the large group of elegant young women as guests.
- “Le Modèle” is the story of a painter who falls in love with the life model at his studio. Their relationship is suitably stormy.
None of these stories seemed all too interesting or had much drama to them. Sorry, Cahiers du Cinéma, I just have to say that some of your French films don’t do anything for me.
Rating: **
Panorama of the Mountains 