Renoir's The Bitch: A Bleak, Unforgettable Dive into Human Obsession

Jean Renoir’s The Bitch, or La Chienne, from way back in 1931, definitely isn't for everyone today. If you appreciate early French cinema, especially the kind that isn't afraid to get a little grimy with human nature, you might just get drawn in. But if you prefer your films with clear heroes or a rapid-fire plot, you'll probably find this one a bit of a slog. It’s a slow burn, for sure, and pretty bleak.

The story follows Maurice Legrand, played by Michel Simon. He’s this incredibly meek cashier, stuck with a wife who just nags him endlessly. His only escape? Painting on Sundays. This guy just radiates a kind of sad, quiet desperation. You really feel for him, even when he’s being a bit pathetic.

Then he meets Lulu. She’s young, charming, but totally under the thumb of Dédé, her pimp. Dédé is a piece of work, manipulative and slick. He sees Maurice as an easy mark, a way to get money without doing much himself. It's a classic setup, really, but Renoir gives it a particular kind of sad twist.

One scene that really sticks with me is early on. Maurice is at home, and his wife is just going on and on. He just sits there, taking it. His face, man, it says everything without a single word. It’s a long shot, just holding on him, and it makes you almost uncomfortable. You feel the weight of his whole life in that moment. Michel Simon really nails that feeling of being trapped. 😖

Dédé, seeing an opportunity, basically pushes Lulu into a relationship with Maurice. It’s not romantic, not really. It’s a transaction from Dédé's side, and Lulu is just… drifting along. She’s not evil, just kind of lost, and a bit selfish too. Viviane Romance as Lulu manages to make her both alluring and frustrating. You can see why Maurice is obsessed, even if it's clearly a terrible idea.

There’s a part where Maurice gets all excited about showing Lulu his paintings. He thinks she'll understand him, maybe even appreciate him. But she just looks at them, kinda bored, then uses them as a way to get more money from Dédé. It’s a gut punch for Maurice, and for us watching. That little spark of hope he had just… vanishes. ✨

The movie is really good at showing how these characters are just pulled along by their own desires and weaknesses. Nobody really seems to choose their path. They just react. Dédé wants money and control. Lulu wants an easy life, maybe a bit of excitement. Maurice just wants a little kindness, a little beauty, anything to escape his dreary existence.

The pacing is definitely of its time. Things unfold slowly. Sometimes a conversation just happens, and you're left to piece together the implications. There isn't a lot of hand-holding. Renoir just presents these lives, warts and all.

The ending, without giving too much away, is pretty shocking. It's abrupt, even. One minute you're watching this slow unraveling, and the next, everything changes. It leaves you with a really uneasy feeling. It’s not neat, not tidy. It's just... raw.

It makes you think about how people can get tangled up, and how easily things can go wrong when no one is really honest with themselves or each other. Maurice’s journey from meek man to… something else, it’s quite the transformation. It's messy, and it’s a long way from pretty.

This film is a prime example of early French realism. It doesn't sugarcoat anything. The streets look grimy, the apartments feel cramped. It all adds to that sense of inescapable fate. Even the way some shots are framed, it feels like the characters are always just a little bit trapped by their surroundings. 🖼️

If you've seen other Renoir films like The Rules of the Game, you'll recognize his touch for human drama, even if this one is a much earlier, rawer version. It's not as grand or sprawling, but it hits hard in its own small, specific way.

Ultimately, The Bitch is a powerful watch for those interested in film history and character studies that don't pull punches. It's a look at desperation and manipulation that still feels kinda relevant, in a sad sort of way. Just be ready for something a bit heavy and not at all cheerful. It stays with you, though. It really does.

Did I notice anything specific?

• Maurice's little hat, always perfectly placed, even when his life is falling apart.
• The way Dédé lights his cigarettes, always with a smirk. So annoying.
• One scene where Lulu is just humming, completely oblivious to Maurice's despair right next to her. So casually cruel.
• The street scenes feel super real for 1931, like you could almost step into them.