Le Journal d'une Femme de Chambre (1964)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 101 minuten
Alternative title: The Diary of a Chambermaid
Country:
France / Italy
Directed by: Luis Buñuel
Stars: Jeanne Moreau, Georges Géret and Daniel Ivernel
IMDb score:
7,4 (9.877)
Releasedate: 4 March 1964
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Le Journal d'une Femme de Chambre plot
Celestine takes a job as a chambermaid for the Monteil family. The fascist servant Joseph falls in love with her, but she doesn't like him. When a girl in the neighborhood is raped and murdered, she suspects Joseph.
Actors and actresses
Céléstine
Joseph
Monsieur Monteil
Madame Monteil
Monsieur Rabour
Captain Mauger
Le sacristain
Rose
Le curé
Marianne
Reviews & comments
The One Ring
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- 29974 messages
- 4109 votes
Still, this is a setback. Buñuel's first unfortunately.
It's not a bad film in itself, but I've seen Buñuel criticize the bourgeoisie in other films and always more interesting than here, where the approach is very straightforward. I may very well have missed some nuances in the script (my knowledge of the rise of French fascism in the late 1930s or the French bourgeoisie in general is not very great), but the supporting characters are all caricatures and the jokes about their personality are very obvious. I'm not used to Buñuel who is usually a bit more subtle. Unfortunately, no one apart from Jeanne Moreau (who really does a great job) really knows how to make anything of his character beyond some simple taps. Oversexed man, overstressed woman, eccentric grandpa, fascist servant... It would be funny if it was all either made wilder like in a more ordinary comedy, or if it were more nuanced. I had little to do with this.
The story is not too special either, but has its strong moments, such as a typical Buñuel piece in which a woman asks advice about her sex life from a priest. Despite the not too fascinating supporting roles, the film itself has hardly any weak moments, with the exception of the ending where Celestine marries that military neighbor. Does anyone actually believe Celestine would do this? I thought it was funny that Celestine is in a position where she can command herself, but others see tragedy in this because Celestine herself has been swallowed up by the bourgeoisie and sold herself. It's just how you look at it, but I find marriage in itself very unlikely anyway. Maybe Buñuel should have added some scenes that shed some light on Celestine's motivation for getting married.
3 stars, mainly for the lead actress actually.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Spetie
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- 38582 messages
- 6525 votes
Buñuel is a man who likes to kick against the bourgeoisie in his films and I can usually appreciate that. Here too he criticizes and does so in his characteristic way, by providing a drama with light-hearted jokes, which are sometimes a bit more subtle than others.
In any case, Jeanne Moreau plays a great leading role. The way in which she manages to portray Céléstine through her great charm and charisma is strong. She also managed to pack me in anyway. The supporting roles may have been played a little less well, but they do add the necessary humor, although I must admit that there is sometimes a bit of blandness in between. Buñuel neatly portrays everything and ensures that it remains fascinating almost continuously. In the end, the story results in a strong climax, with a beautiful final scene.
Le Journal d'une Femme de Chambre is therefore certainly above average. It is very entertaining, although Buñuel has certainly made even better films, in which he dares to criticize the noble class of society in a sharper and even better way.
3.5*
Translated from Dutch · View original
Dievegge
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- 3047 messages
- 7831 votes
Traditionally, maids are only present as secondary characters, but here everything is told from her point of view. The social order is upside down. Célestine is more sympathetic and intelligent than her employers. Members of the rural bourgeoisie are jokers, engaged in petty neighbours' squabbles, hunting game and maids, covering up scandals and keeping up appearances.
Octave Mirabeau's novel is from 1900, but here it has been moved to the 1930s, the time of the rise of fascism and anti-Semitism. Luis Buñuel experienced this firsthand. Jean Chiappe - whose name is chanted at the end - was a civil servant who performed a performance of L'Age d' or banned. It is all the more bitter that the fascist and child murderer Joseph goes free thanks to political connections.
The murder is not shown. Instead we see a boar chasing a bunny, a surprising piece of symbolism. It's one of those few times I mind when a character gets killed.
Jeanne Moreau gives a brave performance, but the supporting roles are also good, especially Michel Piccoli and Georges Géret.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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