Casque d'Or (1952)

 Jacques Becker's "Casque d'Or"


Jacques Becker's 1952 film "Casque d'Or" didn't really provide me with any sort of thematic through-line to grab on to. Not that there wasn't one. I just simply lost track of any sort of digging for anything deeper and simply enjoyed the drama of the film's love triangle. Greater men than I could probably dissect the film in a more meaningful way. However, I won't be providing any great revelations about the film. I will simply be adorning the simplest of adorations. 

The film's setting is Paris during the Belle Époque. Marie, a prostitute, is caught in a love triangle between Roland, a brutish criminal, Felix, Roland's boss and the head of a crime syndicate, and Georges, a handsome, lowly carpenter. When Georges actively pursues Marie, the gang leader Felix orchestrates the arrest of Georges and his eventual tragic end. 

I very much enjoyed the film and was transfixed by the drama that unfolded. As previously stated, I don't really have much to say in the reals of analysis. I will only state my simple adoration for the film, from the performances, and from the incredible direction and story by Jacques Becker.

Now that I've gotten my incompetence out of the way - If I did have something to say regarding the themes of the film, I would probably posit the notion that our titular Casque d'Or, as emblematic of Marie's hairstyle, is the 'crown prize' of the men. During the golden age of prosperity in France, many sought this obscure attainment out of life. Some men (Georges) tried to attain it through simplistic, straightforward methods. Some men (Roland) tried to attain it with brute force. Some men (Felix) attempted to manipulate and scheme their way to it. In the end, their collective quest resulted in tragedy for all three. Now that I'm saying this out loud, it sounds stupid. I can't decide how to feel about the thematic structure, after all. It's just a great film, ok! No more, no less.


Addition:


I've returned to this writing to add something. The most significant element of the film is it's ending. Our Georges, whom the audience perhaps identifies with the most, suffers the most tragic of fates. It's a shocking and dismal ending to someone who does nothing but try to fight for the person he loves (through honorable methods). It's a messy ending demonstrating the messiness of life and the blindness of justice and truth. Paradise was when these two lovebirds were sharing themselves in the little shack at the edge of the river. Other men's dirtiness and cruelty clouds all of that up and creates nothing but havoc in the lives of people who are just romantically living their life. Happiness is torn away by jealousy and hatred. Peace is destroyed by corruption and vile. I do adore this film and its ambiguous thematic relevance only makes me like it more. It's not a film that demonstrates a straightforward point. It's a film that revels in uncertainty and cloudiness. It's great.  




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