Ménilmontant: A little slice of French grit

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for pre-war French cinema and don't mind a story that wanders off the path, yes. It's not a polished studio epic. It's more like a neighborhood sketch. If you demand perfect pacing or big, sweeping stakes, you'll probably get bored in about ten minutes.

The whole thing feels like it’s held together by tape and good intentions. There’s this recurring dream about a playground, which sounds simple, but in this world, it’s basically a revolution. The kids in this movie look like they’ve seen a lot of pavement.

I noticed a few scenes where the audio sounds like it was recorded inside a tin can. It adds to the charm, honestly. It reminds me a bit of the raw, unvarnished vibe you get in Dernier amour, where the setting does half the acting for you.

The rhythm of the streets

The acting isn't what you’d call 'prestige' level. It’s more like people just being people. Sometimes they trip over their lines, or they stare a second too long at the camera. I kind of loved that. It didn't feel like a movie set; it felt like someone just pointed a lens at a street corner and said, 'go.'

• The lighting in the alleyway scenes is surprisingly moody.
• There’s a kid in the background of the park meeting who is clearly just bored out of his mind, and it’s hilarious.
• The dialogue doesn't always land, but the faces of the extras tell the real story.

It’s not trying to be a The White Angel style prestige piece. It’s way more concerned with the dust on the boots and the sound of bells in the distance. Some shots linger on empty staircases way longer than they need to. It creates this weird, lonely feeling that I wasn't expecting.

The middle act sags a bit, sure. You start to wonder if they’re ever going to get that park built or if they’re just going to keep talking about it until the credits roll. But then a sudden, chaotic scene in a cafe happens, and it pulls you back in. It’s an uneven ride, but it’s real. 🎞️

Worth watching for: The genuine look of 1936 Paris. It’s not the postcard version. It’s the version where the paint is peeling and everyone is tired but still hoping for a better tomorrow.