While Jean Gabin is breathtaking in the lead and Simone Simon plays a multi-faceted femme fatale, LA BETE HUMAINE leaves much to be desired. A flatness pervades even the most passionate scenes-- and not in an understated, documentary way, but in a "my soda just went stale" sort of way. Scenes just plod along; character developments often feel jarring. By the end, despite Gabin's wonderful expressiveness, I was not struck by the tragedy as I felt I should have been.
Still, minor Renoir is better than minor most everyone else. The photography is often striking.
Still, minor Renoir is better than minor most everyone else. The photography is often striking.