Sous le ciel de Provence

This remake of Alessandro Blasetti's "Quattro fra le nuvole" is a noteworthy effort. The plot follows Paolo, a traveling salesman caught in a loveless marriage and a frustrating poorly paid job. While traveling for work he meets young Maria who is pregnant and unwed (a disaster for a woman in those days). Maria asks Paolo to pose as her husband to avoid her parents' anger at her state. Will Paolo help her out?

What works best in this film is the story (famed screenwriter Cesare Zavattini contributed to it) and the marvelous performance by Fernandel as Paolo. French actor Fernandel was an exceptional actor who could move seamlessly between comedy and drama and in this film he gives a fine dramatic and truly affecting performance that surpasses even that of Gino Cervi in the original version of this film. And that is really saying something.

What does not work is Alberto Sordi's over-the-top cameo performance as the bus driver. Alberto Sordi is one of Italy's greats but not in this film. I guess it was early in his career and he seems to try too hard to steal the show. His performance is truly grating. The director (Mario Soldati) should not have let this happen.

Overall, a fine effort. And the final shot is truly memorable.