Marianne de ma jeunesse
1955 Drama / Romance
|
Credits
|
|
|
Summary
The Heiligenstadt estate in Bavaria has become a private school for the male offspring
of the well-to-do. There, the boys have organised themselves into two factions -
the Sages, led by the sensible Manfred, and the Brigands, led by the hot-headed Alexis.
One day, the school has a new arrival: Vincent, an amiable adolescent who has grown up
on a farm in Argentina. Vincent's other worldly charms interest not just the other
boys but also Lise, the ward of the school's headmaster. Believing that Vincent
can sense the presence of ghosts, the Brigands persuade him to come with them to a deserted
manor across the lake from the school. Left behind, alone, in the empty house, Vincent
encounters the most beautiful young woman and instantly falls in love with her.
Her name is Marianne. When he returns to the school, Vincent cannot help thinking
about the strange woman. In a fit of jealousy, Lise kills one of the deer that he
has befriended. Realising that Marianne is in the greatest of danger, Vincent feels
compelled to return to the house...
Review
Marianne de ma jeunesse is an unusual departure
for Julien Duvivier, yet it is easily one of his finest, most evocative films, showing
a rare glimpse of his more human side. In contrast to the director's more familiar
dark psychological dramas and cynical thrillers, this is a romantic fable, having a charm,
tenderness and visual style that is more recognisably Cocteau than Duvivier. The
director eschews his trademark noir approach for something more in the classical romantic
tradition, with ethereal Arcadian landscapes and Gothic sets that look like something
from an Edgar Allen Poe story. It is a strangely compelling film, one that exudes
poetry - a simple yet very effective kind of poetry which is poignant and soul-stirring,
like a thoughtful elegiac poem for an unattainable love. In his first screen role,
Pierre Vaneck is remarkable as the enigmatic youth Vincent. His part was played
by Horst Buchholz in the German version which Duvivier made simultaneously with this French
version.
© James Travers 2007 Write a review for this film... |
|