Elena et les hommes (Elena and Her Men) (Paris Does Strange Things) (1956)
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75% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
47% of users liked it
(420 ratings)
In the 1950s, French films were considered the ne plus ultra in naughtiness by certain impressionable filmgoers. It was to these movie fans that the American distributor of Jean Renoir's Elena et les Hommes (Elena and the Men) catered when it provocatively retitled the picture Paris Does Strange… More In the 1950s, French films were considered the ne plus ultra in naughtiness by certain impressionable filmgoers. It was to these movie fans that the American distributor of Jean Renoir's Elena et les Hommes (Elena and the Men) catered when it provocatively retitled the picture Paris Does Strange Things As further grist to the mill for American publicity hacks, the film starred Ingrid Bergman, who had recently returned to Hollywood after her career was nearly ruined by a marital scandal. Actually there was nothing overtly erotic about Paris Does Strange Things. The film was a sweet romantic comedy wherein Bergman plays a poverty-stricken Polish princess, who is wooed by eligible admirers Mel Ferrer and Jean Marais. Will she marry for love, or merely to restore her wealth? The suspense is bearable. Inexpertly cut to 86 minutes for its American showings, Paris Does Strange Things was restored to its full 98 minutes in 1986 and its title reverted to Elena et les Hommes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jean Renoir
- Written By
- Jean Renoir
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Mar 29, 1957 Limited
- Studio
- Criterion Collection
Critic Reviews
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, Time Out
Fantasy, yes, but hardly escapist in the astonishing pertinence with which it reduces the hawkish military and political ambitions of the day to derisory farce while demonstrating the infallibility with which love goes on making the world go round.
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
The fact that Jean Renoir was its director is the ultimate oddity. How this fiasco could have happened is difficult to explain.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
What's interesting is the way that Renoir preserves a strong erotic and romantic thread (the love between Bergman and Ferrer) all the way through the movie's farcical elements.
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Pat Graham, Chicago Reader
The film is ravishing to look at (with Ingrid Bergman radiant at its center), and its mid-80s 35-millimeter restoration is a sumptuous treat indeed.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This is a fantastic film. It is filled with patented Renoirisms, from the utter sincerity of the emotions to the exceptional impressionistic composition.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Ingrid Bergman
as Princess Elena Sorokowska
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Jean Marais
as Gen. Francois Rollan
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Mel Ferrer
as Viscount Henri de Chevincourt
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Pierre Bertin
as Martin-Michaud
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Jean Richard
as Hector Rollan's Batman
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Elina Labourdette
as Paulette
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Magali Noël
as Lolotte Elena's Maid
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Juliette Greco
as Miarka
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Leo Marjane
as The Street Singer
- Gerard Buhr
- Jaque Catelain
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Dora Doll
as Rosa la Rose
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Jim Gerald
as Cafe Owner
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Claire Gerard
as The Strolling Woman
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Jacques Hilling
as Lisbonne
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Jacques Jouanneau
as Eugene Godin
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Leon Larive
as Henri's Domestic
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Robert Le Beal
as The Doctor
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Renaud Mary
as Fleury
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Gaston Modot
as The Leader of Gypsies
- Jean Ozenne
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Albert Remy
as Buchez
- Aram Stephan
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Olga Valéry
as Aunt Olga
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Jean Castanier
as Isnard
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Jean Claudio
as Lionel Villaret
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Mirko Ellis
as Marbeau
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Paul Demange
as A Spectator
- Hubert DeLapparent
- Rodolfo Lodi
- Frédéric Duvallès