La Chienne (The Bitch) (1931)
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100% of critics liked it
(11 reviews) -
89% of users liked it
(691 ratings)
Jean Renoir's first sound film was a bitter and highly controversial psychological drama, so controversial that it was never shown in the United States until 1975, 44 years after its original French release. Maurice (Michel Simon) is a meek bank clerk trapped in a marriage with a harridan named… More Jean Renoir's first sound film was a bitter and highly controversial psychological drama, so controversial that it was never shown in the United States until 1975, 44 years after its original French release. Maurice (Michel Simon) is a meek bank clerk trapped in a marriage with a harridan named Adele (Magdelaine Berubet). Maurice's sole pleasure in life is painting, a hobby he avidly pursues on weekends. One day, Maurice sees a woman on the street being beaten by a man; he steps in to rescue her, and strikes up a friendship with her. Maurice soon falls in love with Lulu (Janie Pelletier), unaware that she's a prostitute and that the man who was beating her is her pimp, Dede (Georges Flamant). Lulu admires Maurice's paintings, and he gives her several canvases; Lulu and Dede then invent an American artist named Clara Wood and place Clara's signature on Maurice's works before selling them to an art dealer, who is quite impressed. Maurice keeps giving money and artwork to Lulu, forgiving her even after he finds out that she's been selling paintings by "Clara Wood" that are earning high prices and enthusiastic reviews. However, Maurice is unaware that Lulu's a streetwalker or that she truly loves Dede until he catches the two in bed together; eventually, love leads to jealous violence and a tragic conclusion. While Pelletier gave a remarkable performance in La Chienne, she was unable to enjoy the film's wide acclaim; she died in an auto accident only a few weeks after shooting was completed. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jean Renoir
- Written By
- Georges de La Fouchardière, André Girard
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1931 Wide
Critic Reviews
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, Variety
Very cleverly made and beautifully acted.
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Wally Hammond, Time Out
Wonderfully moving, with great performances.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
All of the performances are close to flawless, but it's Renoir's unseen presense one remembtrs most vividly.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Jean Renoir's first sound feature (1931) and one of his best.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The three leads gave superb performances.
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Cast
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Michel Simon
as Maurice Legrand
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Janie Mareze
as Lulu Pelletier
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Georges Flamant
as Dede
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Magdelaine Berubet
as Mme. Adele Legrand
- Roger Gaillard
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Jean Gehret
as Mons. Dagodet
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Alexandre Rignault
as Langelard the Art Critic
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Romain Bouquet
as M. Henriot Legrand's Boss
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Courme
as The Colonel
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Max Dalban
as Bernard
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Peirre Destys
as Gustave a Pal of DeDe
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Henri Guisol
as Amedee the Waiter at the Cafe
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Sylvain Itkine
as DeDe's Lawyer
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Lucien Mancini
as Walstein the Art Dealer
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Jane Pierson
as The Concierge
- Janie Marèse
- Magdeleine Bérubet