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6.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. La meilleure bobonne remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, you should watch this today if you like seeing how old movies used to handle slapstick before it got all polished. It is perfect for someone who enjoys French farce or just wants to see a legendary actor before he was famous.
If you hate black and white movies where everyone talks at the same time, you will probably hate this one. It is loud and the sound quality is kind of crunchy because it was 1930.
So the movie is basically Monsieur Pivoine losing his mind. He is waiting for this guy Monsieur Bouchamiel to show up with a bag of money for his business.
The problem is his house is a total disaster. His wife—the 'bobonne' of the title—is trying to help but she is mostly just adding to the chaos. 🌪️
It reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in Too Many Mammas but with more bread and wine. There is a lot of focus on a dinner that is probably going to taste terrible.
Fernandel shows up and he just has that face. You know the one where he looks like a very happy horse? 🐴
He is not even the main guy really, but you can't look at anyone else when he is on screen. He has this way of moving his hands that feels like he is trying to catch invisible flies.
It is way more interesting than the stuffy acting in The Big House from around the same time. This feels more alive, even if it is kind of a mess.
There is a moment where they are trying to fix the table and it feels like it goes on for an hour. In a good way, I think?
You can see the actors almost breaking character because the props are so flimsy. One of the plates looks like it is made of actual cardboard.
I kept looking at the background to see if the walls were shaking. They definitely were when someone slammed the door too hard. 🚪
It is much more low-budget than something like Ship Ahoy but that makes it feel more personal. Like you are watching a play in someone's actual basement.
The the way they talk about 'the wife' is very 1930s, which is to say, it is a bit annoying. She is treated like a servant who is also a nuisance.
But Madeleine Guitty plays her with this sharpness. She doesn't just take the yelling; she yells back twice as loud.
I noticed a small detail where a character drops a napkin and just leaves it there. It wasn't supposed to happen, but they kept filming anyway. I love that kind of stuff.
I laughed once when the businessman finally showed up and looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. His mustache is so big it looks like it has its own zip code. 🥸
The humor is very physical. Lots of pointing and shrugging and wide eyes.
It is not as polished as Going Wild but it has more heart. Or maybe just more sweat.
The movie ends exactly how you think it will, but that is fine. It is only about twenty minutes long, so it doesn't overstay its welcome like some modern comedies.
I think I liked it more than I expected to. It feels like a real record of people trying to figure out how sound movies worked.
Sometimes the actors look directly at the camera like they are asking for help. It is hilarious and probably accidental.
If you find a copy of this, just put it on while you are making lunch. It fits that kind of mood perfectly. 🍽️
It is a fun little slice of history. Nothing more, nothing less. 🎞️
IMDb —
1920
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