Fernandel is no doubt one of the greatest actors of all time and without challenge the greatest of his generation in France. Capable of playing farce and comedy as well as tragedy Fernandel her mingles both in a rather strange story. The atmosphere of the Provence is superbly captured in the first part of the movie when Fernandel has to take the bus because he forgot his train ticket. As the bus driver stalls the departure because his wife is about to give birth and then invites everyone on the bus to join the celebration the actual "savoir vivre" of the Provencal is demonstrated in detail. The long and intense monologue at the end of the movie grabs the spectator by the throat and makes you sit at the very edge of your seat. Although superbly made and acted the whole is sometimes a bit slow for modern tastes, but it only serves to make the climax that more intense.
Review of Era di venerdì 17
Era di venerdì 17
(1956)
If film is the mirror of reality, look very closely and weep...
11 August 2001