Maxime (1958)
Directed by Henri Verneuil

Film Review

Three of the great icons from the golden age of French cinema - Michèle Morgan, Charles Boyer and Arletty - are brought together in this elegant period drama, crafted with surprising delicacy and feeling by Henri Verneuil.  One of France's most versatile mainstream film directors, Verneuil had already directed a number of successful melodramas a comedies (many with Fernandel), but would ultimately become best known today for his slick thrillers of the 60s and 70s, notably Le Clan des Siciliens (1969).  Maxime may look like a typical quality French production, of the kind that would soon appear outdated with the advent of the Nouvelle Vague, but it has a subtle subversiveness about it, and the ending is far from what you might have expected.  Few of Verneuil's films are quite what they first seem.

Back in France after his glittering career in Hollywood had started to decline, Charles Boyer has lost none of his seductive charm and excels in a part that requires him to do far more than be his usual charming self.  Here Boyer takes on a far more fragile character portrayal than he is known for, and is well-matched by a superb Arletty who similarly has to play someone to whom the march of time has not been kind.  A portrait of Arletty from one of her early triumphs, Hôtel du Nord (1938), serves as a poignant reminder of the cruel brevity of youth.  It is strange that, despite being incredibly well preserved, both actors have a mournful look about them - they resemble castaways who, whilst grateful to be alive, regret the loss of those precious years when life was so much sweeter.

Michèle Morgan, by contrast, barely seems to have aged at all since her glory years.  She remains as desirable and as unattainable as ever, the illusion of the perfect woman that Boyer can only pursue with heartbreaking consequences.  Since the film is set on the eve of the First World War, we know that the romantic intrigue involving Boyer and his rival Félix Marten is no more than a trivial sideshow, a footprint on the beach to be washed away by the incoming tide.  Arletty's advice to take life as it comes proves to be particularly pertinent when, at the end of the film, we glimpse a newspaper headline announcing the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand.  Che sera, sera.

Film Synopsis

Paris, 1914.  Maxime Cherpray is an ageing Don Juan who, despite being well-bred and well-educated, has little money and lives in a small apartment.  To make ends meet, he instructs his friend Hubert Treffujean, an uncouth opportunist, in the art of good manners.  One day, Hubert falls under the spell of the beautiful widow Jacqueline Monneron, but she refuses to pursue any kind of relationship with him.  Hubert is not a man to give up easily and so, he appeals to his friend Maxime to help him.  Hubert had intended that Maxime would approach Jacqueline on his behalf and then introduce him to her.  He did not expect that the two would fall for one another and become lovers!  Mistakenly under the impression that Maxime is rich, Jacqueline wonders why he is so secretive.  Curious to find out more about him, she decides to pay him an unexpected visit...