Jacques Becker - Les amants de Montparnasse aka Montparnasse 19 (1958)

A transitional film (1958, 108 min.) between the French "tradition of quality" and the New Wave, this slick biopic about the last year or so in the life of the painter Amedeo Modigliani (the title alludes to the bohemian quarter and the year, 1919) is a highly personal effort by one of the idols of the New Wave generation, the neglected Jacques Becker (Casque d'or, Le trou). At once clunky, overproduced, and naive, it's also sincere and moving, in spite of its faults as a statement about the gulf between serious artists and marketers. It's both helped and hindered by its glamorous cast: Gerard Philipe, Anouk Aimee, and Lilli Palmer. Jean-Luc Godard memorably defended this film when it came out by writing, "Everything rings true in this totally false film. Everything is illuminated in this obscure film. For he who leaps into the void owes no explanations to those who watch."





Montparnasse 19 is a visually stunning and emotionally haunting examination of a misunderstood artist and the caustic irony of fame. Becker uses camera movement and repeated images to reflect Modigliani's aimless, often misguided life. Episodes of intoxication, bars, and visiting mistresses (usually, as much for drinks as for pleasure) pervade the film, rather than showing the artist at work, reflecting Modigliani's lack of focus and self-destructive behavior. The opening panning sequence rotates from the bar patron to Modigliani sketching, as Morel looks over his shoulder. Later, in a poignant scene intensely reminiscent of Professor Rath in Josef von Sternberg's The Blue Angel, Modigliani passes from table to table, peddling his sketches for five francs a piece to disinterested diners, as the predatory Morel hovers behind him. Unable to sell his artwork, a feverish, delusional Modigliani wanders the streets of Montparnasse, crushed in spirit. Morel has found his bargain.







Los amantes de Montparnasse
Melancólica biografía del pintor Amedeo Modigliani, pintor italiano de finales del siglo XIX que vivió en el barrio de Montparnasse en París desde 1906. Allí no solo explotó todo su talento, sino también tuvo que hacer frente a su adicción a la bebida y vivió una apasionada historia de amor con Jeanne. Finalmente, el artista fallecería de tuberculosis en 1920 con tan sólo 35 años.

La película iba a ser dirigida en un principio por Max Ophüls, aunque éste se encontraba bastante enfermo y no pudo hacerse cargo del proyecto. En su lugar se escogió a Jaques Becker, que completa un gran trabajo. Especialmente brillante resulta la ambientación de París, que va modificando su aspecto en consonancia con los acontecimientos vividos por el personaje central: su mejor etapa creativa se define con alegres cafés y vida bohemia; en su declive todo se vuelve más tenebroso y las sombras parecen acechar en cada callejuela.



Dans le Montparnasse des années 1919-1920, le jeune Modigliani noie son amertume dans l'alcool. Il tombe amoureux de Jeanne et en dépit de l'opposition de sa famille, la jeune fille décide de partager la vie de l'artiste. Le couple brave les difficultés du quotidien, mais Modigliani ne rencontre que des échecs et replonge dans la débauche.Tandis que le peintre meurt à l'hôpital, un acheteur fait l'acquisition de plusieurs de ses toiles en présence de Jeanne qui attend le retour de Modigliani, pleine d'espoir.





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