TNMC
This site’s design is only visible in a graphical browser that supports web standards, but its content is accessible to any browser or Internet device.
Children of Paradise: The Criterion Collection
Movie: 10/10
I would like to start off this review with an apology to the Criterion Company. They sent me this DVD back in January and it took me this long to get a review done. I was dreading this film because it's foreign and a sprawling three hours long. However, as I should have expected with the Criterion Collection, Children of Paradise was a superb movie and when it is called a classic, it deserves this title. I regret not watching this DVD earlier. Paradise is almost Shakespearean in nature (it actually takes a great deal of influence from the Bard), it revolves around the beautiful courtesan, Garance (Arletty) and four men who fall in love with her. We have Baptiste (Jean-Louis Barrault), an up and coming pantomime, Frederick (Pierre Brasseur), an up and coming actor, Lacenaire (Marcel Herrand), a thief and a murderer, and a Count (Louis Salou). Marcel Carne gives us what some people call "The Gone With the Wind of French films", a romantic comedy and a drama at the same time, poetic in nature and beautiful in all aspects. The script is solid and each character is well written and acted, the direction and look is also excellent. The only complaint I have is lack of information revolving around the six year break between Part I and Part II. However, it's a minute detail missed by such a wonderful film. Criterion revives a classic and brings it to new generations.
Video: 7/10
Again, it's an older flick so one cannot expect a great transfer. It's full frame and at times a bit grainy. However, watching the restoration demonstration you know they did the best they could.
Audio: 7/10
Once again, it's old so you're not going to get a THX 5.1 DTS bonanza. It's mono and it's good.
Extras: 9/10
Comes with a video intro by Terry Gilliam, a commentary by a film scholar for each half (extremely well done, however, they switch scholars between parts, I would have liked to hear both during the whole movie), Jacques Prevert's original film treatment, production designs, photographs, filmographies, and a trailer. Also included is another well done booklet with excepts of an interview with Carne, cast biographies, and an essay about the film. Hard to ask for more on this baby.
Overall: 9/10
Again, an excellent job by Criterion. I am now becoming extremely fond of foreign movies and shall never debate their taste in films.
What do you think? Talk about it on the Forums
