The Jean Renoir film fest continues, with the latest film being 1954's French Cancan. I sort of had mixed emotions about starting it, but it starred Jean Gabin FFS so that cleared up any misgivings. I'm more of a fan of the 1930s Renoir/Gabin pairings, but I still ended up liking it quite a bit (it really grew on me as the story progressed). It tells the story of the founding of the famous Moulin Rouge, with Gabin playing Henri Danglard, who manages to avoid bankruptcy while simultaneously starting the new club while sleeping with several women (again, he's Jean Gabin FFS). The main female contestants for his attention of Nini (Francoise Arnoul), Lola, the "Belle Abbesse" (Maris Felix), the Esther (Anna Armendola). Renoir even manages to sneak in Edith Piaf in a small role. The film's visuals are influenced by key Impressionist painters like Edgar Degar and Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Jean's father, which for some reason always surprises me). I didn't love it, but I liked it quite a bit. It's got a ton of energy, especially as the story moves along. Recommended.
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