The Earrings of Madame De… (1953)
It’s never just a pair of earrings…
Presentation:
Films that are hyped by the cinephile community tend to be pretentious wabi-sabi displays of taste rather than realistic recommendations. So where does this obscure French Criterion classic fall? For a film lauded for its blocking, cinematography and performances, it’s fine. What it should actually be praised for is its story. The film follows a vain woman and her pair of earrings. Both go on their own journeys and have rewarding transformations, which employ a unique narrative device to propel the film’s themes. The costume design is beautiful and the characters are understandable even though it was shot in the 50s. This is a striking story comparable to a Shakespearean romance and should stand the test of time. It’s confusing how this film isn’t more popular, but such is the nature of French films before the New Wave.
Conclusion:
This film is nearly as good as cinema enjoyers claim it to be. The transformation is not only memorable but also meaningful, which made this film stick with me. I’m pretty critical of romance films so when a good one comes along, I’m pretty excited to recommend it. The decadent yet graceful class brings us back to a time where love was romanticized, making us actually want to fall in love and be better versions of ourselves. The characters are wonderful and the narrative elements have a universal message. Like all jewelry, it’s not the price, it’s the story that comes with it.
Recommendations
Those that don’t like ballet, just haven’t put on red shoes!