MovieChat Forums > Les enfants du paradis (1946) Discussion > Arletty was severely miscast

Arletty was severely miscast

posted 12 years ago by Zamolxe
7 replies | jump to latest

She was a good actress, but she was nowhere near good-looking or (most importantly) young enough for this role. It's just unbelievable so many men would fall in love with her, and even more unbelievable that a man would pick her over the much more attractive Maria Casares. This pretty much ruined the movie for me because I could never really accept the premise. I rated it 7/10, but it would've been more if the director had cast someone more appropriate as Garance.

[–] nickryder9 12 years ago

I too share your concerns. She wasn't really very good looking, certainly not enough for all of these men to go crazy for her. Really the only weak link in this masterpiece, though, so I do my best to overlook it!!

[–] slightlyparanoid 12 years ago

I think Arletty was the right actress at the wrong time. The part needs a Garbo/Dietrich type, and Arletty was likely the closest French equivalent in those days, but she was probably a bit too old for it; if the film had been made in the mid- or late-30s, she would have been perfect. I definitely think Garance needs to be older than Baptiste, though; he worships her like a goddess compared with the much younger Nathalie.

[–] didierfort 12 years ago

I think you gave a very good answer, and a complete one, too.

The first times I saw the movie, I felt almost embarrassed with Arletty playing the part, the major if not only flaw of the movie for me.

Then, I get used to her, and I noticed that many a scene would not fit together without Arletty.

And at last, I was wondering : if not her, who ? No actress could make it at that time in France, except Arletty.

(Having said that, I wonder again… Mireille Balin?)

[–] xagezos 9 years ago

exactly my thoughts, even the 7/10

[–] Prismark10 8 years ago

I guess the filmmakers did their best whilst occupied by the Nazis.

It's that man again!!

[–] sherm456 8 years ago

I thought Arleltty was captivating, but, yeah, she was a bit too old to be playing a pretty young thing at the carnival. More jarring is that Nathalie was apparently supposed to be plainer, but Maria Casares was gorgeous! I know that not a single person out there is everyone's cup of tea, but it was still weird to see her fail to catch Baptiste's interest. But I think this is all something to overlook, and it was a great film!

[–] Ozink (14) 7 years ago

Even though this discussion began years ago, I just saw this film the other night. Yes, at 45 she was probably too old for this role, but here's what The Telegraph said in her obit in 1992: "With her slighted hooded dark eyes and jet-black hair, Arletty was not exactly beautiful. But she possessed an irresistible appeal. Sensual, witty and with great intelligence, she could be by turns grave and mocking earthy and world-wearily wise."