Maruche: Fernandel being Fernandel

If you're in the mood for something that moves fast and doesn't ask you to think too hard, Maruche might just hit the spot. It’s definitely not for everyone—if you need high-stakes drama or modern pacing, stay away. But for fans of old French comedy, it’s a weird little time capsule.

Fernandel is the whole show here, really. You either love his rubbery face and that high-pitched voice, or you’re going to be reaching for the remote within ten minutes. I found myself laughing at the parts where he just stares at the camera, looking totally baffled by his own life choices. It’s not high art, but it’s got a pulse.

The movie feels like it was filmed in about three rooms. There’s this one scene where he’s trying to be serious, and the background wall looks like it might fall over if someone sneezed. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in 50 Million Frenchmen, just with less budget and more shouting.

Some notes from the couch:

• Jeanne Fusier-Gir steals every single frame she's in. She’s way sharper than anyone else on screen.
• The dialogue sounds like they recorded it in a wind tunnel sometimes.
• There is a moment near the middle where the plot just gives up, and honestly, the movie gets better for it.
• Why is there always a scene involving a broken door in these films?

It’s not as polished as some of the stuff from that era, like The King on Main Street, but that’s kind of the point. It feels lived-in, even if that 'living' was done in a cramped studio. The pacing is a total mess—it stops and starts like a car with bad spark plugs—but I didn't mind it.

Don't look for a deep lesson about humanity here. You won't find one. Just watch Fernandel run around being a nuisance. Sometimes that's enough for a Tuesday night, right? 🎥