It is a mistake to view this as a crime movie. The crime aspect is just a symbolic summary of the theme that Renoir developed in this movie.
Essentially, this movie was about unbridled capitalism, personified by Batala, vs. the commutarianism of the publishing house after he "died".
The "new era" at the publishing house was one of unbridled happiness and prosperity. Under Batala, the workers were starving while the boss was stealing and screwing people.
My only disagreement with Renoir was that he spent too little time on the good times after Batala was gone, and too much on how Batala was a criminal. But perhaps he needed this to demonize him as well as he did.
We know where Renoir's sympathies were since the protagonists get away in the end. A symbolic death of unbridled capitalism.
Essentially, this movie was about unbridled capitalism, personified by Batala, vs. the commutarianism of the publishing house after he "died".
The "new era" at the publishing house was one of unbridled happiness and prosperity. Under Batala, the workers were starving while the boss was stealing and screwing people.
My only disagreement with Renoir was that he spent too little time on the good times after Batala was gone, and too much on how Batala was a criminal. But perhaps he needed this to demonize him as well as he did.
We know where Renoir's sympathies were since the protagonists get away in the end. A symbolic death of unbridled capitalism.