L'aventurier (1934) is a dusty little portrait of family greed

Is it worth your time?

If you like old French cinema that smells like mothballs and stiff collars, sure. You’ll probably enjoy the petty family drama if you have a soft spot for 1930s manners. If you need pacing faster than a snail on a rainy day, skip it.

Étienne Ranson isn't exactly a hero, but he's the only one in the room who sees the family for what they are. Watching his uncle pivot from icy rejection to boot-licking admiration the second the cash hits the table is… well, it’s exactly how people act in real life, isn’t it?

The glove factory vibes

There is something inherently funny about a family fortune tied to a glove factory in Grenoble. It feels so specific and dusty. You can practically see the lint in the air during those office scenes. The uncle, Achille, is a piece of work. He wears his disapproval like a tailored suit, only to shed it the moment he smells the money.

It’s not as snappy as Gold Diggers of Broadway, that’s for sure. It feels way more grounded, maybe even a bit too much so. Sometimes the dialogue just drags on, looping back to the same points about debt and pride.

I caught a glimpse of a young Jean Marais in the cast list—he’s there, doing his thing. He’s got that look even back then, doesn't he? Always seems like he’s waiting for the movie to become a bit more exciting than it actually is. Honestly, I found myself zoning out during the long middle section where they just talk about business contracts. Yawn.

There’s a weird, stifling atmosphere to the whole thing. It doesn't have the manic energy of Bright Eyes, which came out around the same time. This is much more about people sitting in rooms, glaring at each other, and waiting for the other person to blink.

Final thoughts

The cinematography is fine, I guess. It’s very 1934. Lots of soft shadows and people standing a bit too far apart when they talk. It lacks the punch of something like Intrigue, but it works if you’re in a mood for something slow and cynical.

It’s definitely a movie for people who like to watch characters make bad decisions based on their own ego. I don’t know if I’d watch it twice, but it left a bit of a mark. Mostly, I just want to know why they cared so much about those gloves.