Under the Roofs of Paris

Loved the first and final shots of the film, offering a sense that both whimsy and reality were coming together. The central romance is probably the weakest part of the film, but the music, the comic bedtime scene, and the airy quality of Albert made the film fun throughout.

Early landmark of French poetic realism, with all the motives that would be mainstays of the movement: real locations, relatively authentic portrayal of contemporary society, romantic entanglement, subtle situational comedy, an overall grace. I wouldn't necessarily place it among the best of that batch, though.

There's a certain sweetness and charm to Clair's films that is both their greatest feature and greatest downfall, and this is no different. It's cute and enjoyable, and the mix of dialogue and music is good but there's something not quite satisfying about it.

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Not very romantic, if that's what you're looking for. My fiancee didn't think so either. Story follows events involving street musician Albert (admirably played by Albert Préjean), his petty criminal companions, and their mutual female friend. (virtually none of whom are likeable) Interesting crossover between silent and talkie is poetically filmed, yet modern in the sense it has nothing worthwhile to say. Still, some great scenes throughout keep it watchable.

It's part of that awkward era of semi-silent films that never really worked, and it's narrative, probably tired and uninspired already back then, is muddled, disjointed and too slow. It's biggest weakness, is it's protagonist, a lecherous probably-rapist creep who doesn't know how to take no for answer, his unlikability removes any chance of emotional connection. I doubt it was great film when it came out and it certainly isn't 85 years later.

A charming film, half gentle comedy and half seedy working class noir, transformed by an indefinable whimsy. The opening and closing shots are justly famous, but the knife fight outside the cafe while the train hurtles by is very good too.

629

Star Rating: ★★★★1/2

81.50

Another charming Clair picture, not quite as good as Liberté, but certainly worth seeing once.

Sob os Tetos de Paris estreava há exatos 90 anos em Paris. Às vezes acho que não é dado o suficiente amor ao René Clair, mas esse filme caiu bastante no meu conceito na revisão, quando o vi pela primeira vez há décadas fiquei completamente deslumbrada por esse exemplo inicial de realismo poético, mas ainda um grande filme apesar de não considerá-lo mais uma obra-prima . DVDRip no MakingOff.

Perhaps appropriately, my favorite Clair film that i've seen is essentially 'a silent film with sound', relieving him of the obligation of nuanced characterization and allowing his poetic realistic visual sensibility to take precedent over plot. While still far less sophisticated than Murneau, Borzage, or von Sternberg at their best for example, Clair at least feels comfortable in this context.

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