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5.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Everyone Has Their Chance remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so if you're into dusty old French comedies, the kind where everyone's getting into a muddle over who's who, then Everyone Has Their Chance might just tickle your fancy. It's a genuine little time capsule. But let's be real, if you're after slick modern humor or anything that moves faster than a Sunday stroll, you'll probably find yourself a bit bored. This one’s for the folks who enjoy seeing how they used to make people laugh way back when. 🕰️
The whole thing kicks off in a music hall, which, immediately, sets a fun stage. The Baron (played by André Urban, who has this perfectly flustered look about him) is caught red-handed with his mistress. Now, I love how the Baroness (Odette Josylla, with a great 'I'm not amused' face) just *appears*. No grand entrance, just… there. The sheer panic on the Baron's face is priceless. He spots Marcel, a young salesman who is just trying to sell some fancy clothes, and poof! Marcel is suddenly a hugely important client. The lie just kinda… snowballs from there. You can almost feel the Baron digging his own hole, deeper and deeper. 😂
Marcel, bless his heart (played by Raymond Cordy, who brings a nice, wide-eyed innocence), gets swept right up in it. He's this earnest, somewhat naive guy, and suddenly he's pretending to be someone he's not. The scenes where he tries to keep up with the charade are where the film really finds its groove. He’s clearly out of his depth, but also a bit thrilled by the attention. It's that classic 'fish out of water' stuff, done with a French accent. Sometimes, his reactions are just a beat too slow, making it all the more endearing, like he's genuinely processing the absurdity.
What struck me was the pace. It's not fast, not at all. Things unfold gently, almost leisurely. The jokes aren't rapid-fire. Instead, they rely on the situation building, on the awkwardness of people trying to keep up appearances. There's a scene where Marcel tries to dance and it's just this wonderfully clunky, slightly off-beat moment that feels very real for a guy who's not used to high society. It's not laugh-out-loud funny, but it makes you smile, you know? 😊
You get glimpses of Paris life from the early 30s, too. The sets are simple, but effective. The music hall scenes are particularly charming, even if the sound quality sometimes reminds you this is a very early talkie. And hey, look out for a young Jean Gabin! He's not the lead here, obviously, but it's cool to see him in a smaller role, a chansonnier, singing away. He has this undeniable presence even then. It's a little bit of a 'blink and you'll miss him' moment if you're not paying attention to the smaller parts.
The plot, with all its misunderstandings and mistaken identities, does get a bit tangled. You almost need a notepad to keep track of who thinks who is whom. But that's part of the fun, I suppose. It's not trying to be clever or groundbreaking. It just wants to give you a good, old-fashioned farce. The stakes feel low, which is kind of refreshing. Nobody's life is in danger, just their social standing. And maybe a few hearts are a little bit bruised.
There's a moment near the end where everyone's in the same room, and the truth is *just* about to come out, and the tension, even in this light comedy, builds in a nice way. You're waiting for the inevitable explosion of revelations. It's not a huge dramatic climax, more of a gentle unraveling. And the way things resolve, it's very much in the spirit of these kinds of films – everything ties up rather neatly, perhaps a bit too neatly, but it leaves you with a pleasant feeling. Like, "Oh, okay, that worked out."
Overall, Everyone Has Their Chance is a pretty decent watch if you're in the mood for something light, a bit silly, and genuinely from another era. It's not going to change your life, but it's a pleasant way to spend an hour and a bit. Especially if you like seeing how early French cinema handled its laughs. It’s got a certain *je ne sais quoi*, even if it's mostly a polite chuckle rather than a roaring guffaw. 🎭
IMDb —
1920
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