"AN UNFORGETTABLE PORTRAIT OF FRANCE EMERGING FROM THE OCCUPATION...I'LL NEVER SAY IT ENOUGH: FOR ME, BECKER IS THE FINEST FRENCH FILMMAKER OF THE 40s AND 50s!"
— Bertrand Tavernier
France, 1947
Director: Jacques Becker
Cast: Roger Pigaut, Claire Mafféi, Noël Roquevert
Screenwriter: Jacques Becker, Maurice Griffe, Françoise Giroud
Cinematography: Pierre Montazel
Music: Jean-Jacques Grünenwald
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Black & White
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Language: French with English subtitles
Running Time: 84 minutes
Synopsis:
Working class couple Antoine (Roger Pigaut) and Antoinette (Claire Mafféi) dream of a better life. In the midst of constantly fending off the unwanted attention of men, especially the grocer Monsieur Roland (Noël Roquevert), Antoinette purchases a winning lottery ticket. But when Antoine loses their ticket out of poverty, their dreams seem like they’ll remain just that.
Awards and Nominations:
Best Psychological and Romantic Film (Cannes Film Festival, 1947)
"An optimistic portrait of a happily married
young couple, and a lively gallery of supporting characters worthy of a Preston Sturges farce."
— Bill Weber, Slant
