Fernandel is a delight, even when he's ruining everything in He

If you're looking for a light watch tonight, He (or Le Rosier de Madame Husson if you want to be fancy) is probably worth your time. It’s perfect for fans of old-school French comedy who don't mind a bit of mean-spirited irony. If you need high-octane pacing or complex camera work, you will absolutely hate this.

Fernandel plays Isidore, the town simpleton. He’s got that rubbery face that can do more work in one second than most modern actors do in a whole feature. Watching him try to navigate the sudden pressure of being the 'pure' boy of the village is honestly painful in a funny way. 😅

The Setup

Madame Husson is the kind of character who thinks she’s doing good, but she’s really just bored and judgmental. She picks poor Isidore for the garland because nobody else is 'pure' enough. It’s a total setup for disaster.

The town scenes feel surprisingly lived-in. There’s a rhythm to how everyone gossips that reminds me a bit of the social posturing you see in Holiday of St. Jorgen, though much quieter. The movie isn't trying to be a deep lecture on morality, even if it feels like it wants to be at first.

The Big Night

The turning point—when Isidore gets drunk and heads to the city—is where the movie finally lets its hair down. The shift from the stuffy, rose-scented village to the chaotic nightlife is jarring. It feels like the director finally got bored of the roses too.

• The look on Fernandel’s face when he discovers champagne is priceless.
• The supporting cast is mostly there to look shocked, which they do very well.
• The pacing is a bit weird; it drags in the middle before hitting a really fun final act.

I couldn't help but think about how modern comedies have forgotten how to use silence. There’s a moment where Isidore just sits there, completely dazed, and the camera doesn't cut away. It’s just long enough to be uncomfortable, and then he does something small with his eyebrows, and suddenly you're laughing.

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s got a weird, prickly heart. It’s definitely more interesting than the average fluff from that era. Just don't go in expecting a sweet ending, because that's not what happens here at all. 🌹

Sometimes I think about how this compares to something like Flesh and the Devil. Both deal with people making messes of their lives, but this one is much more focused on making the audience feel like they're laughing at the town, not just the characters.

Overall, a solid watch if you're in the mood for something that doesn't try too hard to be 'important.' It’s just a funny guy having a very bad, very long night.