There are some really lovely moments in the two dream sequences Leslie Caron has in this film, the first when she faces off in a dance with Zsa Zsa Gabor, who she thinks is a rival for the love of a magician (Jean-Pierre Aumont), and the second, when she copes with the idea of leaving a puppeteer (Mel Ferrer). She's an orphan, you see, who has latched on to a carnival to avoid being homeless and on the streets. Her character is also quite young, just 16, and early on we get a dose of creepiness from a shopkeeper who tries to take advantage of her, as well as the magician, who in response to being told she's very young, says "She'll get older. The female soul is like a chestnut. It must go through fire before it becomes delicious." Ugh. The puppets themselves are cute but also threaten occasional creepiness, though it was pretty cool to see the cuts to Ferrer behind the scenes voicing the characters.
Caron was 22, and unmade up she certainly looks young enough, but unfortunately acts the part too young or overly naïve in the depths to which she's entranced by the puppets, and as she follows men around like a puppy dog. It doesn't help that Aumont was 42 and Ferrer, 36. The film is heartwarming and buoyant, and though there are also dark elements to it in the puppeteer's backstory and the alternatives the young woman considers (at least in theory), it borders on being too sweet, and that's what's kind of weird about it, it's somehow both creepy and sweet. On the strength of Caron's earnestness the film might charm you, but I think it would have been better with more musical performances.
Caron was 22, and unmade up she certainly looks young enough, but unfortunately acts the part too young or overly naïve in the depths to which she's entranced by the puppets, and as she follows men around like a puppy dog. It doesn't help that Aumont was 42 and Ferrer, 36. The film is heartwarming and buoyant, and though there are also dark elements to it in the puppeteer's backstory and the alternatives the young woman considers (at least in theory), it borders on being too sweet, and that's what's kind of weird about it, it's somehow both creepy and sweet. On the strength of Caron's earnestness the film might charm you, but I think it would have been better with more musical performances.