Elena et les hommes (Elena and Her Men) (Paris Does Strange Things) (1956)

75% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(401 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Jean Renoir
Written By: Jean Renoir
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 29, 1957 Limited
On DVD: Aug 3, 2004

Critic Reviews

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.
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.
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.
, 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.
, 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.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
...there's something to be said for Renoir's universe in which governments can turn on the question of who gets to bed Ingrid Bergman.
Scott Tobias, AV Club
Bergman's signature elegance remains the only enduring element of Renoir's light-hearted confection.
Jake Euker, Filmcritic.com
the resemblance it bears to Renoir's great Rules of the Game is more than passing, and I think this detracts
, Film4
Even if ultimately this is not one of Renoir's best efforts, assured direction and a biting script show some of the old magic.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Silly concoction is a minor work for all involved. Ingrid, in her last foreign film before her exile from Hollywood due to the Rossolini scandal ended and triumphant return in Anastastia, is charming and her dresses are incredibly beautiful. But the settings have a sense of falseness… More
Silly concoction is a minor work for all involved. Ingrid, in her last foreign film before her exile from Hollywood due to the Rossolini scandal ended and triumphant return in Anastastia, is charming and her dresses are incredibly beautiful. But the settings have a sense of falseness to them, even wealthy people's homes look like someone lives there, these are obvious sets. Even the outdoor scenes have a claustrophoic feeling of being stagebound. Mildly amusing but almost completely forgettable.
Bruce B

A Full 5 Stars, I seldom do that. This is Movie from the Criterion Collection, like most movies from this collection its outstanding. Its in French with English Subtitles. Its easy to see that Ingrid Bergman was both beautiful and talented. We really don't see that in Female… More
A Full 5 Stars, I seldom do that. This is Movie from the Criterion Collection, like most movies from this collection its outstanding. Its in French with English Subtitles. Its easy to see that Ingrid Bergman was both beautiful and talented. We really don't see that in Female actors today, They are hot for a while but there flame burns out quickly. Back in the Day and Actor or Actress was just that.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"Elena and Her Men" starts out in an early 20th century Bastille Day celebration in Paris. Elena(Ingrid Bergman) is a Polish princess in exile who helps ambitious men succeed by mysteriously giving them daisies. Her latest protege has just learned that… More
[font=Century Gothic]"Elena and Her Men" starts out in an early 20th century Bastille Day celebration in Paris. Elena(Ingrid Bergman) is a Polish princess in exile who helps ambitious men succeed by mysteriously giving them daisies. Her latest protege has just learned that his opera will be produced. The next is hero General Rollan(Jean Marais) who has just taken the position of War Secretary and many want to be President of the Republic. Meanwhile, having run out of pearls to sell, Elena accepts a marriage proposal from a hideously wealthy shoe manufacturer. [/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Elena and Her Men" is a delightful, fabulously looking bit of nonsense.(It's never explained how exactly Elena helps the men...) Jean Renoir returns partially to the scene of "Rules of the Game" when part of the film takes place in a country estate with the gentry and servants cavorting together. I have a possible complaint about a relatively young democracy like France in this movie being so keen on seeking such a strong military leader as its president. [/font]

Cast

            Ingrid Bergman as Princess Elena Sorokowska

            Jean Marais as Gen. Francois Rollan

            Mel Ferrer as Viscount Henri de Chevincourt

            Pierre Bertin as Martin-Michaud

            Jean Richard as Hector Rollan's Batman

            Elina Labourdette as Paulette

            Magali Noël as Lolotte Elena's Maid

            Juliette Greco as Miarka

            Leo Marjane as The Street Singer

            Gerard Buhr
            
            Jaque Catelain
            
            Dora Doll as Rosa la Rose

            Jim Gerald as Cafe Owner

            Claire Gerard as The Strolling Woman

            Jacques Hilling as Lisbonne

            Jacques Jouanneau as Eugene Godin

            Leon Larive as Henri's Domestic

            Robert Le Beal as The Doctor

            Renaud Mary as Fleury

            Gaston Modot as The Leader of Gypsies

            Jean Ozenne
            
            Albert Remy as Buchez

            Aram Stephan
            
            Olga Valéry  as Aunt Olga

            Jean Castanier as Isnard

            Jean Claudio as Lionel Villaret

            Mirko Ellis as Marbeau

            Paul Demange as A Spectator

            Hubert DeLapparent
            
            Rodolfo Lodi
            
            Frédéric Duvallès
            
See full cast

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Elena et les hommes (Elena and Her Men) (Paris Does Strange Things) (1956)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Bruce B

Walter M

Cast

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