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4.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 4.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. La guerre des valses remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a thing for period costumes and guys in wigs acting pouty, sure, give it a go. It’s light, fluffy, and moves along without asking too much from your brain. If you need grit or high-stakes drama, you’ll probably find this as boring as a lecture on music theory.
Honestly, the whole thing feels like a very polite shouting match. You've got Lanner and Strauss bickering over violins like they’re fighting over the last piece of cake. 🎻
The sets are clearly painted backdrops, and you can tell. Sometimes the light hits the wall and it looks like a school play. But there's something sweet about that, right? It feels like they were trying their best with what they had.
Fernand Gravey is fine, I guess. He does that look-off-into-the-distance thing a lot to show he's, you know, inspired. It’s cute. Arletty shows up too, and she’s always a treat even when the script is running thin.
There's a scene near the middle where they argue in the rehearsal room, and I swear, the guy in the back row is just holding his instrument and looking at his watch. I couldn't stop staring at him. He looked like he just wanted to go home and eat lunch.
It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even a particularly deep dive into the history of music. But it’s got that old-fashioned energy where everything is a little bit heightened and everyone is very dramatic about melodies.
If you're in the mood for something that won't ruin your day but won't change your life, this fits the bill. Just don't expect a, like, intense character study or something. It’s just people playing music and being mildly petty. 🎼