Les mufles: *Rough Around the Edges*, but is it Good?

If you're into early French cinema, the kind where everyone seems to be having a terribly serious time, then _Les mufles_ might just be your cup of tea. It's a curiosity, for sure. But if you're looking for fast-paced action or something with modern sensibilities, you'll probably find yourself checking your watch every few minutes. This one is definitely not for the casual viewer.

The title, "The Boors," really tells you what you're in for. We follow a whole bunch of folks who are just... rude. Like, actively trying to be unpleasant to each other. It’s kinda fascinating how dedicated they are to it. 🧐

One scene, I think it was Lino Manzoni's character, just stares at another person for what felt like an eternity. No words, just this really intense, almost aggressive silence. You could feel the tension, even through the decades separating us from the film. It's one of those moments that sticks.

The pacing is, well, old. Things unfold slowly. Sometimes you wonder if the reel got stuck. But then you realize that's just how they did things back then. Every gesture feels deliberate, every glance loaded.

There's a recurring shot of a doorway, almost always framed the same way. It's so plain, but it kept pulling my eye. Like it was trying to tell us something about the confined lives these people lead. Or maybe it was just a cheap set. Who knows? 🤷‍♀️

Yvette Dubost, her character often felt like the only one with a shred of decency, or at least a sense of despair over everyone else's antics. Her expressions, especially in the quieter moments, are quite powerful. You feel for her.

But then, there's this one moment where she slams a door and it just rattles for a bit too long. It's almost comical. Like the whole house is as fed up as she is. I actually chuckled. 😂

The film isn't trying to make anyone likable, and that's its strength. It leans into the discomfort. You watch these people argue, scheme, and generally be awful, and it feels a bit like peeking into a strange, distant world.

The whole thing feels very stagey at times, you know? Like they’re performing for an audience in a theater, not for a camera. The gestures are big. The emotions are broad. It's a different kind of acting, for sure.

I kept thinking about Red Courage, another old one, and how much more... direct that one felt. Les mufles is more about mood, about this prevailing sense of ugliness in human interaction. Not just physical ugliness, but a spiritual one.

There's a scene with a dinner table that just goes on and on. So much uncomfortable eating and silent judgment. No one seems to enjoy their food. It’s a very specific kind of awkwardness that director Eugène Barbier really nails.

The ending, without giving anything away, doesn't really offer much in the way of resolution. It just… stops. Like life continues, and these boors will continue to be boors. It’s a little unsatisfying if you like things tied up neatly, but also kinda realistic.

So, yeah. If you like digging into the archives, or you're a student of film history, this is definitely worth a look. It’s a snapshot of a particular time and a particular way of telling a story. Just don't expect a feel-good movie. Or even a feel-anything-but-mildly-annoyed movie. 😉