René Clair (1) (1898–1981)

"Le million" is a delightful operetta. Michel, a penniless painter, learns he has won a million in the lottery, yet the precious ticket, left in a jacket pocket, remains untraceable and becomes the subject of a senseless search throughout the film, which is funny, lively and inventive. Some scenes are particularly successful: the passing of the highly prized jacket from hand to hand, like a rugby game, and the backstage duet between Michel and his fiancée (a ballerina) as a singing duet show more takes place. Lyrical scenes on the opera stage and a few Chaplinesque chases. Do discover it. show less

A witch tries to sabotage the happiness of her enemy's descendant.

4/4 (Great).

Veronica Lake playing a joyfully chaotic character is an easy sell for me. A lot about this movie is clunky, but I don't care, it's fun.

(Dec. 2020)

Many art history students know of Clair's early dadaist film "Entr'acte" but I wonder how many have seen his later more mainstream 'light' feature comedies, etc? I've seen as many as I've haphazardly found, & liked them, but most of them aren't even close to as powerful for me as "Entr'acte". As such, I like Clair's work alot but he's not exactly one of my favorite directors. Nonetheless, I'm sure I read this bk w/ some rapt attn to his opinions. In fact, it wd be interesting to write such a show more bk myself! In this bk, Clair mainly discusses other people's work rather than his own. I forgive him for liking Griffith. show less

10 strangers in an isolated mansion start getting murdered.

3/4 (Good).

The "solution" is a little disappointing - it felt a little bit like the murderer was selected with a dart board. But it's a fun, efficient movie.

(Apr. 2022)