Liliom

Dull, dull, a thousand times dull. Not even an expressionist outburst towards the end can save it.

The story of Liliom is daunting to digest today as it deals with the acceptance of domestic violence. This 1934 French version has the advantage of being directed by the great Fritz Lang and starring Charles Boyer who gives this role his all! Lang also gives it his special visual touches, but it felt less like a Lang film then any of his other movies from this time. I guess the Liliom story is such a structured story already that there was little he had to do to advance it.

worst effects in film history. pointless plot, every way a huge disaster. and fritz lang. his favorite work of himself also. amazing. this must be really a fantasy world. stay away!

So the ending is literally that the wife thought it was okay that he beat her? Maybe I'm missing some nuance but that's what it seemed like? Boyer is great.

Star Rating: ★★★1/2

85.00