Le chemineau (1935): A dusty, wandering heart

Is it worth the watch?

Honestly, you probably already know if you’re the type to sit through a 1935 French drama. If you find comfort in old, grainy film stock and stories about people hiding their feelings behind stiff collars, then yeah, pull up a chair. If you need a movie to actually move, keep scrolling. This one takes its sweet time.

It’s the story of a drifter, the titular chemineau, who drifts back into a town he probably should’ve stayed away from. It’s got that heavy, stage-play DNA that a lot of movies from this era carry, and it isn't afraid to let a scene breathe—sometimes for a bit too long.

The vibe

There’s a specific kind of melancholy here that feels like old paper. It’s not quite as punchy as The Blood of His Fathers, which has its own weird energy, but it hits a similar nerve of past mistakes catching up to the present. You can tell the actors are really leaning into their lines, trying to wring every drop of gravity out of the script.

I noticed a moment where the lead, Victor Francen, just stares out a window for a beat longer than necessary. It’s not a deep artistic choice; it’s just a guy waiting for his cue. But it felt oddly real. Like, we’ve all been that guy, just standing around waiting for the next thing to happen in our lives.

Some random notes I scribbled down:

• The lighting in the tavern scene is surprisingly moody, though I think the lantern was just about to flicker out for real.
• The costumes are incredibly itchy-looking. You can practically feel the wool.
• There is a distinct lack of urgency that is either very peaceful or very annoying depending on how much coffee I’ve had.

It reminds me a bit of the pacing in Old Friends, where the silence does most of the heavy lifting. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it just makes you want to check your watch. But hey, it’s 1935. They weren't exactly cutting for TikTok attention spans back then.

I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. I just felt like I was watching someone else's memory. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s got a pulse, and in this sea of endless content, that’s almost enough. 🎞️