The camerawork is incredible, full of long, graceful, carefully choreographed tracking shots. The shot of the torn letters turning into snow is genius. And the use of the earrings as a symbol for the various relationships of love and deception among the characters is novel. It's an excellent film, but I'm afraid that it did not connect with me on a gut level. I cannot point to a particular flaw or provide an example of what I would have preferred to see. I simply wasn't swept off my feet by it.
The sweeping and elegant camerawork in this film is fantastic, I can see why Kubrick was so fond of Ophuls.
One of the most graceful and elegant movies I've ever seen; the entire production drips with style and class. The performances are supremely dignified, the camerawork is outstanding, the set design and costuming are understatedly opulent and gorgeous. The romance is contrived as hell, but amazingly effective.
A wonderful story with some great performances. The opulent sets are wonderful in setting the scene, but it's the wonderful script that kept my attention all the way to the excellent ending.
Technically, there's nothing wrong with the film: well crafted and filled with beautiful, and at times ingenious, shots. The story is quite charming (though not as moving as 'Le Plaisir'), yet the juxtaposed symbolism serves as the film's driving force. Love is misleading, artificial, contrived and Ophüls makes an admirable statement on how easily it can vanish. A worthy classic, and a definite must see.
Max Ophüls
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