On a barge in France, crowded with cats, a marriage is in jeopardy. 1934's L'Atalante may be the most adorable movie ever made.
We meet the crew of L'Atalante, an old man named Pere Jules (Michel Simon) and a boy (Louis Lefebvre), as they prepare for the return of their captain, Jean (Jean Daste) and his new bride, Juliette (Dita Parlo). Cleaning up the deck, Pere finds some of the omnipresent cats and kittens. He absently puts a kitten on his shoulder where it remains throughout the ensuing scenes.
Michel Simon's performance is nothing short of astounding. I was convinced he was a real old man whom director Jean Vigo found lounging on a wharf one day. It turns out he was only 39, four years younger than I am, and is the same actor I remember fondly from Boudu Saved from Drowning.
A scene where he shows Juliette his esoteric collection of knickknacks, tattoos, and porn from his world travels is absolutely captivating. From the shaggy marionette to the naked woman scrawled on his back, each item is captivating in its own way.
So often in films set aboard ships, the cabins are improbably large in order to accommodate filming. Here's one film that keeps in mind just how cramped it is. Vigo must have made sets that disassembled easily in order to accomodate a variety of angles with his bulky 1930s camera and equipment.
It pays off and there are fresh inventions in virtually every shot.
As Juliette, Dita Parlo is adorable as any of the kittens. Most people watching the movie probably root for her to leave Jean for Pere but the film blessedly presents a more complex, and simpler, situation. I loved this movie.
L'Atalante is available on The Criterion Channel.
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