Lighter and more cinematic than the Kurosawa version.

Simplistic and a bit unbalanced but it tells an emotionally affective story. The prominence of the Baron in the beginning is necessary for the themes related to social class ladder but he disappears for chunks of time and returns from time to time as an ear to Pepel's woes. The flophouse scenes are excellent and while the overall love story seems rushed, it's established early enough that Pepel has grown sick and tired of the thief's racket. Love conquers all...supposedly.

I'm surprised this isn't more highly regarded amongst Renoir's films. It has all the subversiveness of his earlier films combined with the technical proficiency of his later films, not to mention some great performances. A wonderful tale of love and poverty punctuated with little jabs at social ills, its well paced and mixes drama with light moments very effectively.

A brisk, lighthearted take on Gorky's play. Renoir's camera just flows like liquid, and Jean Gabin is wonderful as the thief. None of the other characters are fleshed out so well, though. More fleeting than the later Kurosawa version, but still a fun movie.

Probably my favorite thing about Renoir is that there's always SOME shred of optimism. It makes him at worst enjoyable, at best sublime.

Very well done

I give extra points to this one for the social and political context of its creation.

Engrossing dialogue-driven exploration of lower-class life and dreams.