Défense d'aimer (1942) User Reviews

Nailing Her Man

[writers_reign · 8/10 · 22 January 2008]

This is yet another Contintental film - like Mon Amour est pres de toi - that comes close to addressing the aim of the German-run company which was to offer escapist entertainment to the masses. This confection that features manicurist Suzy Delair romancing the son of the swish hotel where she works bears a slight resemblance to the story of a French girl, Madeleine Gal, who worked as a manicurist at the Savoy hotel in London, married a client, Robert Henrey, she met there, in 1929 and became first a journalist then a prolific writer. Their son, Bobby, later starred in The Fallen Idol with Ralph Richardson and Michele Morgan and Madeleine got a book out of that, too. Suzy Delair was arguably better looking than Madeleine Gal and Paul Meurisse was, equally arguably a better actor than Robert Henrey and the film is lifted out of the merely 'pleasant' category by a screenplay from Jean Aurenche. Entertaining +.

Unconsummated marriage

[dbdumonteil · 18 February 2008]

Another harmless little comedy by Richard Pottier ;not much food for thought but casting two of Clouzot's favorite actors ,Suzy Delair and Paul Meurisse was a good idea because they are totally unalike;Delair is exuberant,cheeky,full of joie de vivre.Henri Jeanson chose her to be "Lady Paname"(Paname is slang for Paris) in his unique (and unfortunately not very good)film .On the other hand,Paul Meurisse is impassive,with a deadpan sense of humor .

The story is derivative .A father (Andre Gabriello,who overplays so much he is almost unbearable)wants his son (Meurisse) to get married ,but the boy has got a mistress who is not prepared to accept it.So why not an unconsummated marriage to fool the father.No sooner said than done.But you would never guess: the rich kid falls in love with his "wife" ,a manicurist (Delair).