Jean Gabin plays a very nice guy. You can't help but like him. Then, out of the blue, he starts killing and seems unable to control himself. Why? I really cannot say.
Generally this is an interesting movie with some unusual plot twists and turns. The acting is generally good as is the direction and cinematography. However, two glaring problems remain. First, WHY would Simone Simon go along with her nasty husband to commit the murder? Perhaps because she was savagely slapped by him? Possibly, but to continue covering for him? Why didn't she just turn him in to be free of him? Plus, her character is a bit annoying--she is abused repeatedly by men and then ultimately murdered. Wow. Second, Gabin's character is so inconsistent and incomprehensible. He's a nice guy who, out of the blue, strangles (or tries to strangle) women he loves! This unpredictability is interesting for the movie but just seems completely unreal.
Generally this is an interesting movie with some unusual plot twists and turns. The acting is generally good as is the direction and cinematography. However, two glaring problems remain. First, WHY would Simone Simon go along with her nasty husband to commit the murder? Perhaps because she was savagely slapped by him? Possibly, but to continue covering for him? Why didn't she just turn him in to be free of him? Plus, her character is a bit annoying--she is abused repeatedly by men and then ultimately murdered. Wow. Second, Gabin's character is so inconsistent and incomprehensible. He's a nice guy who, out of the blue, strangles (or tries to strangle) women he loves! This unpredictability is interesting for the movie but just seems completely unreal.