Gringalet

I was not expecting much when I watched this movie the other night.André Berthomieu is a forgotten director although some critics say some of his works should be restored to favor.

What about "Gringalet"(=Puny little thing")?It was first a play written by Paul Vanderberghe who plays lead in the filmed version,abetted by an excellent Charles Vanel.Well,it's an obsolete charming little sentimental comedy.Relatively speaking,the atmosphere recalls Frank Capra's finer feelings.

A wealthy man has two sons,one of them is legitimate,the other is not.The first offspring has had a life of luxury and he has become a lazy good for nothing whereas the youthful indiscretion has turned into an artist.He is nicknamed "Gringalet" .Now his father wants him to meet his half-brother ,his mother-in-law and the rest of the family. Gringalet will turn this bourgeois family upside down:they become nice,the big brother becoming a perfect businessman who stops scouring nightclubs to spend most of his time with his fiancée Josette.There's the rub,cause Gringalet is also in love with her.

"Gringalet" is by no means a forgotten treasure of the French cinema,but you 'll assuredly spend a nice evening if you choose to watch it.

NB:"Gringalet " was remade in Italy in 1959.I have not seen that version.