The Magnetism of Magnani

The Spanish Viceroy in 18th century, colonial Peru orders a splendid vehicle from Europe and is surprised to also receive a commedia dell'arte troupe in 1952's The Golden Coach. This Jean Renoir film is a fascinating and pretty tale of class and romantic conflict starring Anna Magnani. It was a box office failure, which I imagine was due to Magnani's failure to be as charismatic as her character is meant to be--the whole plot hinges on everyone falling in love with her. But there's a lot to recommend about the movie and Magnani's performance.

The set design, cinematography, and costumes are beautiful. The enormous cast of extras fill the screen with so much life and create such a vivid sense of this fantasy version of colonial Peru. The troupe set up their theatre and the first bit of interesting class conflict comes from the reluctance of anyone attending the performance to pay for seeing it. The Italian troupe can't understand this basic failure of protocol but there's a way of doing things in this strange land. It's not until the bullfighter, Ramon (Riccardo Rioli), shows his approval that any money starts coming in but not, of course, from Ramon. Ramon gives a necklace to the troupe's resident Columbina named Camilla (Anna Magnani). A row ensues when Felipe (Paul Campbell), also part of the troupe, brawls with Camilla in a fit of jealousy. And, of course, the Viceroy (Duncan Lamont) is also in love with Camilla.

Magnani was 44 at the time and it never seems plausible that so many men would be in love with her. Granted, I've never been a fan of Anna Magnani, nor did I ever think she was particularly beautiful, even in Rome, Open City. But I can't deny she gives a powerful performance. I can't see why she would attract all these men but I felt a vicarious pleasure when she laughed at the Viceroy and the other dignitaries at the end of the movie's best scene. In this scene, after he's promised to give the golden coach to Camilla, the Viceroy also finds he must promise it to the governing council, who pledge a hefty donation for the use of it. Meanwhile, the Viceroy must attempt to conceal the presence of another mistress in the house whom Camilla has already spotted. Magnani's good when she's kind of vicious. She'd be nice to have on your side in a fight but I can't imagine looking at her and wanting to woo her.

The Golden Coach is available on The Criterion Channel.