Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise) (1945)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Michael S

  
  It's easy to see why Marcel Carné's "Children of Paradise" is considered by many to be an all-time great of the medium. It's a sprawling, lavish production that was made under extraordinary circumstances (during the Nazi occupation of Franch). But in the year… More
  It's easy to see why Marcel Carné's "Children of Paradise" is considered by many to be an all-time great of the medium. It's a sprawling, lavish production that was made under extraordinary circumstances (during the Nazi occupation of Franch). But in the year 2011 (and in the humble opinion of this reviewer) the film does feel a tad dated from a narrative standpoint. That said, the film is effortlessly likeable and entertaining, and even at over three hours never drags or feels like a chore. Though it doesn't hold up in the same way that say... "Notorious" or "It's a Wonderful Life" does, it's still an outstanding achievement that should be considered mandatory viewing.

• Stella D

  
  a miracle film made under nazi occupation. a tragic romantic epic of all the mad denizens of the boulevard du crime. wonderful

• Alexander W

  
  1945 French satire, if you like Moulin Rouge, or La Haine check this one out.

• Luke B

  
  A french masterpiece. Under the circumstances it is amazing such a film was even made. The luxurious set pieces and the beautiful costume design bring this film to life. Humour, tears, and dramatics are all added. Like all the great French stories it tells us of love and loss.

• George M

  
  To watch Les Enfants du Paradis is as great an experience as the cinema can provide. It is not so innovative in terms of direction (though it's excellently directed by Marcel Carne) as it is brilliantly written by poet Jaques Prevert and magnificently acted by the actors.… More
  To watch Les Enfants du Paradis is as great an experience as the cinema can provide. It is not so innovative in terms of direction (though it's excellently directed by Marcel Carne) as it is brilliantly written by poet Jaques Prevert and magnificently acted by the actors. Although the narrative is straightforward and linear at its heart, the film gives the feeling of a whole world that is living and breathing. That is achieved through the many diffirent characters and also the great number of small details and distractions that make this wide tapestry alive (like the small episode between Frederick and the lady that owns the inn or the trio of the academic writers). The actors are terrific! Some of them are strange choices considering the script alone, like Arletty. She isn't exactly beautiful, although she plays the 'great beauty', but you believe she is exactly that as she envelops her character with an aura of dignity that transforms everything to beauty. She acts with a strange maturity at times which is in great contrast with Jean-Luis Barrault character (who seems more child-like, fragile and fiery). But this strange contrast works in favour of the film in the end as it gives more subtext to their relation. Pierre Brasseur and Marcel Herrand are equally, if not more, brilliant than the rest. The characters are superbly written and each one has a certain outlook to life which is diffirent and distinct from the others. However, all of them meet at the cross-roads of Art. Their lives and their art become interwined. The writer/criminal 'writes' his farce/tragedy when he kills the count, Babtist's performances reflect his love for Garance (both inside and outside of the performance), Fredric the actor always 'plays' with pomp and humor in real life (he even falls in love this way and calls Garance 'Desdemona') while brings the 'real life' on stage (when performing the academic trio's play). Even Jericho 'plays' his role as he announces his approaching with a musical instrument (a biblical joke). All of them suffer and come face to face with the absurdity of life (let us not forget how Carne/Prevert are famous for their existential 'poetic realism' aesthetic). This is surely the best film that shows the blurred lines between art and life (if we don't consider that other excellent film, The Red Shoes). This is probably one of the most beautiful, rich and emotionally powerful film experiences in the whole history of cinema. Funny, sad, melancholic, hilarious, heartbreaking - a farce, a comedy and a tragedy all in one exactly in the spirit of its hero Lacenaire's plays (surely one of the best consciously 'bad' guys in fiction).Totally recommended!

• Cinema F

  
  Marcel Carne's Children of Paradise is uncommonly long (almost three hours) but an exceptional film. It is richly entertaining and intensely romantic evocation of an epoch. The tale unfolds against a meticulously reconstructed setting of mid-19th century Paris. It tells of… More
  Marcel Carne's Children of Paradise is uncommonly long (almost three hours) but an exceptional film. It is richly entertaining and intensely romantic evocation of an epoch. The tale unfolds against a meticulously reconstructed setting of mid-19th century Paris. It tells of the doomed love between the famous mime Baptiste (Jean-Louis Barrault), and the beautiful courtesan named Garance (Arletty). Garance is loved by four men in this film, but she really only loves Baptiste. It's more of the bittersweet joy and sorrow of lovers--a classic story of love and loss. The characters and the narrative skill are both admirable. The strength of the dialogue, the music and the majestic images created make this film a magnificent one. The costume and design reminds me of the old Moulin Rouge, with Paris as the best place to hold everything colourful and grandiose spectacularium. It's not as great as Casablanca, but nevertheless, this film belongs in that same category. This flick was described in 1945 as "a superlative dramatic and visual achievement of the French cinema." An ambition being realized at that time.

• Marion R

  
  This film is so overrated and for what reason? I have no idea. After the first half, I had to force myself to watch the second part. So blah, an uninteresting. Everything in this film feels like a play, none of it is real, no one feels real. They go on these long dialogues, that are… More
  This film is so overrated and for what reason? I have no idea. After the first half, I had to force myself to watch the second part. So blah, an uninteresting. Everything in this film feels like a play, none of it is real, no one feels real. They go on these long dialogues, that are meant to be insightful, but are not. I didn't care for it and I think people are just jumping on a bandwagon!

• Tom S

  
  Magnifique!

• James B

  
  An amazingly deep and moving story revolving around a young woman and the many men who pine for her affection.

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