La Vie à deux
1958 Comedy / Romance   

 

Review
This multi-part film with an impressive star-studied cast lacks the feel of a satisfying whole, but it is so full of magical little moments that that hardly seems to matter.  Written by Sacha Guitry, a luminary of French cinema and a distinguished writer in his own right, the film has some sparkling dialogue which is brought to life by some amazing acting talent.

The best instances of this are Jean Marais, playing a conjurer who gets entrapped by a sex-starved society lady, and Gérard Philipe playing the valet who is ultimately the downfall of the same society lady.  Pierre Brasseur, Edwige Feuillère and Louis de Funès, amongst others, also put in some memorable performances.

After an impressive first half, the film does seem to slow down and lose its charm towards the end.  Nonetheless, it is certainly worth seeing, if only for the thrill of viewing so many acting legends of French cinema in one film.

© James Travers 2001

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  Director: Clément Duhour
Starring: Pierre Brasseur, Danielle Darrieux, Sophie Desmarets, Fernandel, Edwige Feuillère

Synopsis
In his old age, the writer Pierre Careau is alone and has no one to inherit his wealth.   He owes his fame and wealth to his novel, entitled La Vie à deux (a.k.a. Life as a Couple), which he based on the relationships of four happily married couples.  He decides to leave his wealth to whichever of these couples are still leading an unblemished married life, otherwise his wealth goes to his publishing colleagues...

Credits
  • Director: Clément Duhour
  • Script: Sacha Guitry
  • Photo: Robert Lefebvre
  • Music: Hubert Rostaing
  • Cast: Pierre Brasseur (Pierre Careau), Danielle Darrieux (Monique Lebeaut), Sophie Desmarets (Marguerite Caboufigue), Fernandel (Marcel Caboufigue), Edwige Feuillère (Françoise Sellier, ex-Carreau), Louis de Funès (Me Stéphane, le notaire), Robert Lamoureux (Thierry Raval), Jean Marais (Teddy Brooks), Lilli Palmer (Odette de Starenberg), Gérard Philipe (Désiré), Jean Richard (André Le Lorrain), Pauline Carton (Mme Vattier), Marie Daëms (Madeleine), Ivan Desny (Michel Sellier), Jacques Dumesnil (Henri), Christian Duvaleix (Jean), Jacques Jouanneau (Michel), Madeleine LeBeau (Peggy), Robert Manuel (Georges), Jane Marken (Mme Fourneau), Maria Mauban (La religieuse), Pierre Mondy (M. Lebeaut), Jacques Morel (Claude), Jean Tissier (Arthur),
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Runtime: 100 min; B&W
  • Aka: Life As a Couple; Life Together



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