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7.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Boudu Saved from Drowning remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like movies where people just sit around and get on each other's nerves, you’ll love this. If you need a plot that moves at the speed of a jet engine, skip it. This isn't a thriller like The Thumb Print. It’s a slow, rambling look at a guy who just doesn't want to be civilized.
Michel Simon is honestly just doing whatever he wants on screen. He’s gross, he’s loud, and he’s clearly having a blast being a total nuisance. Watching him eat is a visceral experience—he really commits to the crumbs and the mess. 🥖
The whole premise feels like a prank that got out of hand. The bookseller thinks he’s doing a good deed, a grand gesture of human kindness. But Boudu? He just wants to keep his beard long and his manners nonexistent.
There’s this moment where he’s just lounging in the shop, and the camera lingers on him like he’s a piece of furniture that shouldn't be there. It’s funny because it’s uncomfortable. It’s the kind of movie that makes you want to scrub your floor after watching.
It’s not as manic as Miss Mischief Maker, but it has this weird, grounded anarchy. People talk over each other. They stomp around in tiny rooms. It feels lived-in, like the set was actually dusty.
I found myself wondering if the director just let the cameras roll while the actors argued. There’s a specific kind of frustration in the bookseller’s face that feels way too real for a scripted performance. You can see the exact second he realizes he’s made a massive mistake.
It’s a bit of a slog in the middle, honestly. But then Boudu does something so absurdly petty that you can’t help but laugh. It’s not a masterpiece of structure, but it’s a masterpiece of being annoying. And sometimes, that’s exactly what I want in a movie.
It’s refreshing to watch something that doesn't try to teach you a lesson about the human condition. It’s just about a guy who really, really hates wearing shoes. 👞
