Quai des Orfèvres [re-release]

Name: Quai des Orfèvres [re-release]
Genre: Drama, Crime, Music, Film-Noir
Released: October 25, 2002
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 89
Cast: Bernard Blier, Louis Jouvet, Simone Renant

2002

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 10 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Rialto Pictures | Release Date: October 25, 2002

Starring: Bernard Blier, Louis Jouvet, Simone Renant

Summary: Brilliantly transforming a classic whodunit plot, Gallic Master of Suspense Henri-Georges Clouzot takes us from the wings and dressing rooms of the Parisian music hall and circus worlds to the drab, airless corridors and holding cells of the Quai's Criminal Investigations Department, in a blend of social realism and psychological crueltyBrilliantly transforming a classic whodunit plot, Gallic Master of Suspense Henri-Georges Clouzot takes us from the wings and dressing rooms of the Parisian music hall and circus worlds to the drab, airless corridors and holding cells of the Quai's Criminal Investigations Department, in a blend of social realism and psychological cruelty that became his trademark. One of the uncontested masterpieces of the postwar French cinema, but rarely seen here since its original 1947 U.S. release (as "Jenny Lamour"). (Film Forum)… Expand

Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot

Genre(s): Drama, Crime, Music, Film-Noir

Runtime: 106 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Ty Burr

A film noir? A backstage musical? A whodunit? A comedy? In truth, it's all of the above -- plus a kinky love story, an absorbing melodrama, and a mordantly jaded snapshot of postwar Paris -- and all of them are wonderful. Read full review

100

Michael Sragow

A gorgeous flirt of a murder movie. Read full review

100

Staff (Not credited)

In every respect it is outstanding. Read full review

Elliott Stein

The visual style has an expressionistic undertow, rich in shadowy chiaroscuro compositions. Read full review

Stephen Hunter

It is in fact a traditional mystery more reminiscent of Agatha Christie than the reigning film noir aesthetic of 1947. But it's fabulously entertaining. Read full review

David Sterritt

This pungently filmed 1947 melodrama doesn't rank with Clouzot classics like "Diabolique" and "The Wages of Fear," but it's full of hard-boiled charm and has a musical score that adds extra dimensions to its impact. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

While the story is thin, Clouzot uses his immense skills to raise the picture above the standard for the genre. Read full review

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User Reviews

Halfwelshman

Oct 17, 2011

Quai des Orfevres is a truly fine example of a murder-mystery, chiefly because of how it breaks the "typical" formula for the genre. The film isn't about finding out "whodunit" - we are provided with that information from the very start. In reality, it's a tale of deception andQuai des Orfevres is a truly fine example of a murder-mystery, chiefly because of how it breaks the "typical" formula for the genre. The film isn't about finding out "whodunit" - we are provided with that information from the very start. In reality, it's a tale of deception and misunderstanding - the police think they are on the right line of enquiry, but fail to guess how far off the real culprit they really are, and the innocent man who is suspected is forced to cover his tracks as the evidence against him is strong. Performances across the board are strong, but Louis Jouvet is the real highlight of the film, playing one of the all-time greatest grizzled movie police detectives - he is absolutely captivating in every scene. The real achievement of Quai des Orfevres is how expertly it bridges the gap between formula and innovation. It's extremely enjoyable as a highlight of the mystery genre and noire filmmaking, but it is memorable because it deconstructs these filmic artifices and is unafraid to do something a little different in regards to narrative and character.… Expand

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Broyax

May 19, 2019

Ce Quai des Orfèvres tire grand avantage du charismatique Louis Jouvet et de sa gouaille étonnante ! il en impose assurément et s'avère plus têtu qu'un Columbo... Bernard Blier qu'on reconnaît déjà sans peine impressionne également. Mais Robert Dalban j'ai mis un bout de temps à leCe Quai des Orfèvres tire grand avantage du charismatique Louis Jouvet et de sa gouaille étonnante ! il en impose assurément et s'avère plus têtu qu'un Columbo... Bernard Blier qu'on reconnaît déjà sans peine impressionne également. Mais Robert Dalban j'ai mis un bout de temps à le reconnaître et pourtant c'est bel et bien lui, l'habitué des seconds et troisièmes rôles, déjà !

L'histoire se tient et jusqu'au bout, on ignore qui va se faire prendre et finir au ballon... Toutefois, le film souffre de nombreuses longueurs et d'une musique trop forte particulièrement criarde et désagréable. De même, le temps d'exposition est exagérément bavard sans mentionner les quelques chansonnettes qui vrillent bien les nerfs ici et là... Un film intéressant qui aurait beaucoup gagné à ne pas se disperser autant en digressions et autres lenteurs.… Expand

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