Bibi-la-Purée: A strange, dusty stroll through old Paris

Is this for you?

If you enjoy old black-and-white films that feel like they were dug up from a basement, you’ll probably find something to like here. It’s quiet, a bit dusty, and lacks the punch of modern editing. But if you need a clear plot or constant action, skip it. You will absolutely hate how long it takes for anything to actually happen. 🕰️

Bibi-la-Purée isn't trying to be a blockbuster. It’s barely trying to be a cohesive story. It’s more of a mood piece about a guy who just kind of exists in Paris.

The cinematography has this hazy, lived-in feel that reminds me a bit of the atmosphere in The Human Side, though it’s much less polished. Sometimes the camera just sits there, watching people walk by, and you can tell the director was more interested in the street corner than the dialogue.

Odd little moments

• There is a scene where someone is eating at a cafe, and the background noise is so loud it almost drowns out the main actors. It felt real, in a messy way.
• The costumes look like they were pulled out of a bin five minutes before filming. I kind of love that.
• André Bertic’s performance is all eyebrows and shrugs. It’s charming, but also a little confusing if you don't know the history.

The pacing is… well, it’s not pacing. It’s drifting. It reminded me of the loose energy in Sunday, where the movie seems to forget it has a job to do. I found myself staring at the background extras more than the leads. One guy in the back row of a scene keeps trying to hide his cigarette, and it’s way more interesting than the conversation happening in the front.

It’s a bit like watching The Charming Mrs. Chase but with less charm and more cobblestones. It doesn’t hit the same highs, but there’s a certain grit to it that keeps you watching. Don't go in expecting a masterpiece. Go in expecting a weird, 1930s-style hang-out session.

The ending just sort of happens. No big resolution, no grand final speech. It just stops. Honestly? I appreciated that. Sometimes movies try way too hard to tie everything up in a neat little bow, and this one clearly couldn't be bothered. 🤷‍♂️