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Movies / On DVD / The Lower Depths
The Lower Depths

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The Lower Depths (1935)

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Reviews Counted:6

Fresh:5

Rotten:1

Average Rating:6.6/10

Runtime: 1 hr 31 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Synopsis: Describing the subject of Maxim Gorky's classic play as "the poetry of the loss of dignity," Jean Renoir was commenting on a widespread phenomenon in the 1930s. THE LOWER DEPTHS stars Louis Jouvet... Describing the subject of Maxim Gorky's classic play as "the poetry of the loss of dignity," Jean Renoir was commenting on a widespread phenomenon in the 1930s. THE LOWER DEPTHS stars Louis Jouvet as the Baron, an aristocrat who has just been cashiered from his official post for embezzling. Arriving at home one day, the Baron catches burglar Pepel (Jean Gabin) practicing his profession, but since he has not stolen anything, the two men have dinner together. Then, since the Baron has been evicted, he decides go with Pepel to his run-down abode. A magnet for misfits, the flophouse guest list includes the Actor (Robert Le Vigan), who jumps around vigorously while playing an accordion; Le Veillard (Robert Genin), an alcoholic philosopher; the place's thuggish proprietor, Kostileff (Vladimir Sokoloff); and his blowsy girlfriend, Vasilissa (Suzy Prim). She's been carrying on with Pepel, but he begins to lose interest when she suggests that he kill Kostileff. While the Actor carefully plans his suicide, Pepel ends up killing Kostileff anyway, simultaneously fending off an attack on Vasilissa's sister, Natacha (June Astor). It's a typical day in the flophouse. The great Louis Jouvet gives a brilliant performance, while Renoir's sinuous tracking and deep-focus photography define the complicated relationships within the group. [More]

Starring: Jean Gabin, Suzy Prim, Louis Jouvet, Jany Holt

Starring: Jean Gabin, Suzy Prim, Louis Jouvet, Jany Holt, Vladimir Sokoloff, June Astor

Director: Jean Renoir

Director: Jean Renoir

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Lower Depths

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1 - 6 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Gabin and Jouvet are their usual glorious selves, though the tendency towards pessimism makes this one of Renoir's less rewarding films.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
05/09/07
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The result is powerful, if frequently uncomfortable, viewing.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/09/07
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It carries some interest in its curious blend of tones and styles -- it oscillates between vaudeville turns and stark tragedy.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
05/09/07
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader

Renoir sought out balance and humanistic sympathy, reshaping the narrative so the thief (Jean Gabin) and the Baron (Louis Jouvet) bond over their mutual rebellion against the social system.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
08/30/06
Michael Atkinson
Michael Atkinson
Village Voice

The Lower Depths both gains and loses by its proximity to Renoir’s later masterpieces: It’s not one of them them, but the same guy made it.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
08/30/06
Jake Euker
Jake Euker
Filmcritic.com

The relationship between Gabin's Pepel and Jouvet's Baron is a brilliant one -- Renoir pointing to their internal similarities by stressing their external differences.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
08/30/06
TV Guide's Movie Guide
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