Le Chrysanthème rouge (1912)
Directed by Léonce Perret

Film Review

Léonce Perret wasn't just one of Gaumont's most talented filmmakers, unquestionably one of the foremost pioneers of the seventh art, he was also a consummate story teller.  Within the incredibly limiting confines of a one or two reel short film, he could tell a complete story that perfectly fits the space allotted to it, in a way that can hardly fail to satisfy.  Le Chrysanthème rouge is one of Perret's most perfect short films.  It has a ludicrously simple plot - essentially a comic variant on the Judgment of Solomon story - but in Perret's deft hands it becomes an enchanting little fable.

One of Gaumont's most versatile filmmakers, Perret proved adept at practically every genre that the new medium of cinema was capable of supporting.  Comedy was a particular forte of his, and Le Chrysanthème rouge is one of his funniest films.  Perret's penchant for the macabre surfaces right at the end of the film, providing an unexpected but neat resolution to the plot.  The 'appearance' of the titular red chrysanthemum (to say any more would be to give away the brilliant plot twist) is emphasised by a smattering of colour, a nice touch that adds to the scene's dramatic impact.

The other thing to note is Perret's liberal use of close-ups, a device that was rarely used at the time.  You'd almost think the close-up was invented for Suzanne Grandais, Gaumont's star actress and France's answer to Mary Pickford.  Just 18 when she appeared in the film, Grandais has a magnetic presence and Perret would have been mad not to have favoured her with a least half a dozen close-ups, which he does with loving attention.  Perret himself appears in the film, humorously overacting as one of Grandais's tormented suitors, the other suitor being played (with somewhat more restraint) by another of his favourite actors, Émile Keppens.  Such is Grandais's charm and charisma that you scarcely notice her two co-stars - but then she was Gaumont's sweetest blossom.  Perret made good use of Grandais's talents in some of his other films, including Le Coeur et l'argent (1912) and Le Mystère des roches de Kador (1912).

Film Synopsis

A young woman is courted by two men who are prepared to do anything to win her hand in marriage.  Unable to decide between the two men, the woman sets them a challenge: she will surrender her heart to the man who gives to her the flower that she treasures the most.  Without a moment's delay, the two suitors rush off to the nearest flower seller and return laden with bouquets.  Alas, neither man has found their beloved's favourite flower, which she reveals to be the chrysanthemum.  Still confident of success, the two men head back to the florists and return with armfuls of chrysanthemums.  Alas, it is the red chrysanthemum that Miss Suzy has set her heart on.  As one of her suitors rushes back to the flower seller, the other comes up with a more ingenious solution...