There's always something going on in this movie, a lot of it not even really explained outwardly. You can totally get a sense of the dreariness of life in that Dita Parlo is attempting to escape from by sailing away with her new husband, just by the brief shots of the town. Instead of an ideal romantic getaway with Jean Daste, she actually starts spending a good deal of time with Michel Simon, the barge hand. He's sort of alien to her, she's horrified by many of his behaviors but she can't seem to keep away. In that sense she represents the audience, I was fascinated by this character, one of the most unpredictable I've seen in a movie. When he talks about his friend's hands it seemed very longingly and I think it's hinted in this scene that he's bisexual. In any case this is a fascinating movie, overflowing with detail, and yet never straining for effect. The reality of living together on a boat puts a cramp in the couple's romantic ideals, but the movie is ultimately hopeful about how people who really love each other can work things out. **** out of ****
Review of L'Atalante
