LA RONDE Movie Review

Arthur Schnitzler's play was the basis for this lyrical and bittersweet series of linked episodes depicting love in all its tragic, comic, and unexpected manifestations. Linked by the image of love as a merry-go-round, the master of ceremonies (Anton Walbrook at his most suavely elegant) narrates and explains what we see as the carousel of love comes full circle. It begins with prostitute Simone Signoret and soldier Serge Reggiani; he takes up with chambermaid Simone Simon. She introduces young Daniel Gélin to love; with his new confidence, he seduces the married Danielle Darrieux. Darrieux's husband, Fernand Gravet, is maintaining mistress Odette Joyeux. But she's in love with poet Jean-Louis Barrault, which will come to naught because he loves actress Isa Miranda. She, however, prefers a Count, Gérard Philipe, who has occasion to visit prostitute Simone Signoret. And there—where it began—the carousel stops. Filled with witty and charming performances, and directed with the sweeping fluidity of movement that was Ophüls's signature. La Ronde is an exceptionally satisfying romantic fable. It was a major success for Ophüls upon its release in France, but censors prevented its American debut until 1954.The censors may have been alarmed by the casual sex, but they may well have missed the other aspect of Schnitzler's clever structural metaphor, which illuminates not only the path of love, but the path of those pesky little microbes that have been known to accompany it on its rounds. Best Screenplay Award, Venice Film Festival; Oscar Nominations for Screenplay and Art Direction.

NEXT STOP … The Earrings of Madame de…, Caught, Lola Montès

1951 97m/B FR Simone Signoret, Anton Walbrook, Simone Simon, Serge Reggiani, Daniel Gelin, Danielle Darrieux, Jean-Louis Barrault, Fernand Gravet., Odette Joyeux, Isa Miranda, Gerard Philipe; D: Max Ophuls. British Academy Awards '51: Best Film; Nominations: Academy Awards '51: Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (B & W), Best Screenplay. VHS NLC, HMV