I think contemporary Hollywood should take note here. This is the kind of movie that would bring audience back to cinemas to look at the stars. Contemporary film has lost the leading man and the leading lady, and therefore has lost the plot. I crave romance, adventure, beauty and godlike presence that both Gerard Philipe and Gina Lollobrigida radiate from the screen. I'd like men and women to be free to joke again and this film tastes like freedom. Also maybe because of Gerard Philipe stunts he did on his own. You can see it's him doing it and it seems so easy, the roof jumping, the horseback riding, the fencing, the swimming, this movie is packed with action. And comedy. The dialogue is just as fresh as Lollo's melons, constantly half way out of her corset. There's plenty to gaze at, male or female. Gerard Philipe is possibly the most gorgeous leading man in film history and no actor today can top his charisma. Thanks to this attraction I started watching "old wave" French films and made an important discovery - there's really nothing new about the New Wave. They just stole the best bits and convinced everybody it was their invention. In fact, those innovations can already be found in Gerard Philipe movies. In this one, he is his own stuntman long before Belmondo. Credit where credit is due, we need a reevaluation of Nouvelle Vague.
Review of Fanfan la Tulipe
