Reviews
Leviathan (1961)
A story of frustration and boredom with three outstanding actresses
In this remarkable movie, based upon Julian Green's novel, we follow Paul's downfall as he is torn between his love for Angele, a local prostitute, as he finds out too late, and Madame Grosgeorge's love for him. In this story of frustration, boredom and the "pangs of unrequited love", three actresses are quite outstanding: Madeleine Robinson as Madame Londe, Angele's procurer, Lili Palmer as Paul's middle-aged employer and Marie Laforêt as the unforgettable linen maid. In the novel, Paul is supposed to be plain, poor and unattractive, whereas in the movie, Louis Jourdan seems to stand as the Latin lover. How can we believe that Angèle should reject such a handsome man ? This is probably the only discrepancy to be found in the movie, which has not been shown on French television for at least twenty years. What a pity !