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5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. In Old Alsace remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for dusty, old French comedies where people spend half the runtime eating cabbage and sausages, In Old Alsace is actually a cozy little watch. But if you need anything resembling a modern pace, this old relic will probably bore you to tears.
The plot is basically about this middle-aged guy named Fritz Kobus who is absolutely convinced he will never get married. He is rich, he likes his wine, and he has a group of buddies who also seem to hate the idea of wives.
Then there is David, the local rabbi, who acts like a professional busybody. He basically makes a bet that Fritz will fall in love, which feels a bit weird and pushy if you think about it too much.
Enter Suzel, played by Simone Bourday. She is the daughter of Fritz's tenant, and she is very young.
There is this scene where she brings him a plate of cherries. The way the camera just stares at Fritz eating these cherries while Suzel watches him is... well, it goes on forever.
You can almost feel the director screaming "look how innocent this is!" from behind the camera. It is cute, sure, but also slightly awkward.
Unlike some other films of the era—say, the weird dreaminess of L'Étoile de mer—this movie is as straightforward as a wooden bench. There are no fancy camera tricks here.
Most of the film just looks like a filmed stage play. People walk into a room, they sit at a table, they talk, and then they leave.
But there is a strange charm to it. The Alsace village looks so peaceful, almost like a miniature toy town where nothing bad could ever happen.
Madeleine Guitty shows up as the housekeeper, and she is easily the best part. She has this great, expressive face that says "I am surrounded by idiots" without her needing to speak a word.
Fritz himself, played by Jacques de Féraudy, has this incredibly loud laugh. Even though it is an old film, you can practically hear the fake, boisterous "Ha ha ha!" radiating off his face.
The whole conflict about him not wanting to marry feels so silly today. He acts like getting married is the same as being sent to a guillotine.
And the ending? It happens so fast.
One minute Fritz is crying in his room because he thinks he lost her, and the next they are holding hands and everyone is cheering. It is a bit of a whiplash, honestly.
Still, if you want something sweet and harmless to put on while you drink tea, this might be it. Just do not expect any mind-blowing cinema. 🍷
IMDb 7.7
1923
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