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5.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Les dieux s'amusent remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for vintage French comedies or just want to see how they handled mythology in the 1930s, sure, put it on. It’s definitely not for the modern viewer who needs a car chase every ten minutes. If you’re allergic to stage-bound sets and people talking in grand, theatrical tones, steer clear.
Jupiter coming down to Earth is a classic setup, right? We’ve seen this kind of thing before, maybe a bit more polished in Un bon petit diable, but there’s a certain charm to how they make the gods look like they just stepped out of a fancy dress party.
The whole thing feels like it’s happening on a stage, which I guess is because it is. Sometimes the background paintings look like they might tip over if someone sneezes too hard. It’s funny, in a way. You catch these little moments where the actors are clearly waiting for their marks, and the pacing drags just enough to make you look around your living room for a snack.
There’s this one scene where they’re plotting the seduction, and the camera just lingers on a reaction shot for so long that I started wondering if the projectionist had fallen asleep. It becomes genuinely funny after about the fourth second of dead air. It’s not exactly The River of Death in terms of intensity, that’s for sure.
Is it a masterpiece? Hardly. It’s a bit messy, and honestly, some of the supporting cast seem like they’d rather be anywhere else. But there’s a weird, lighthearted energy to the way they treat the gods as these petty, flawed, and slightly annoying people. It’s grounded, in a weirdly mythological sense.
I wouldn't call this an essential watch, but if you’re digging through old archives, it’s a decent way to spend a rainy afternoon. Just don't go looking for deep meaning. It’s just gods being jerks. ⚡️