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6.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Coquecigrole remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Look, if you’re a fan of 1930s French cinema and you like watching Danielle Darrieux before she became a massive icon, then absolutely, press play. If you need a movie that holds your hand with a clear, logical plot, you’re going to be frustrated within twenty minutes. It’s a bit of a scramble.
The whole thing feels like it’s vibrating at a weird frequency. It’s not quite a comedy, not quite a tragedy, just this strange, middle-ground puddle of emotions. Coquecigrole doesn't really care if you keep up with the family dynamics. It just kind of throws them at you.
It reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in The Marriage Speculation, but with less of the sharp edges. Sometimes the pacing just falls off a cliff. You’ll be mid-scene, and suddenly, they’re just somewhere else entirely. It’s jarring, but honestly? It’s kind of refreshing.
There are moments where the dialogue feels like it’s being read for the first time. You can see the actors thinking about their next line instead of actually listening to each other. It’s perfectly imperfect. I liked that.
Is it as tight as The Master Crook? Not even close. But it has this weird, persistent charm that keeps you watching even when the plot goes off into the weeds. Sometimes you don’t need a masterpiece. You just need something that feels like a real, dusty window into a different time.
Anyway, watch it for the atmosphere. Or just watch it to see how they handled doors in the 30s. Everyone seems to be slamming them for no reason. 🚪✨