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8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Le petit écart remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a thing for vintage French cinema and don't mind when the plot gets a little bit thin, sure. It’s lighthearted enough. If you’re looking for something that actually keeps your attention for more than ten minutes, you might want to skip this one. It's basically a relic from a different era of filmmaking where just seeing people talk in fancy rooms was enough.
The whole thing feels like it’s vibrating at this weird, frantic frequency. Everyone is constantly shouting or whispering behind curtains. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in Family Troubles, though without the same level of charm.
There is this one scene—I think it’s about twenty minutes in—where the camera just hangs on a door handle. It’s not a metaphorical thing. It’s just, like, the camera person forgot to cut the shot. It stays there for a full six seconds. I found myself counting the seconds. It was weirdly hypnotic.
The dialogue is fast. Sometimes it’s too fast. You can tell they were trying to keep the pacing up, but it ends up sounding like a group of people tripping over their own feet. It’s almost endearing, in a clumsy sort of way.
I wouldn't say this is a masterpiece. It’s not even a particularly good movie. But there’s something about the way the actors just lean into the silliness that makes me respect it. They aren't trying to change the world. They’re just trying to get through the script and maybe grab lunch after.
If you're a fan of Charleston Parade, you might find a bit of that same DNA here. It’s got that jittery, pre-war feeling. It doesn't quite stick the landing, but who cares? It was never really aiming for the roof in the first place. 🎬