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5.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Darling of Paris remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you're the kind of person who gets bored unless there's a car chase every ten minutes, skip The Darling of Paris. It’s a 1931 French picture that moves at the speed of a polite conversation over coffee. But, if you like old black-and-white stuff where the acting feels like a stage play caught on film, stick around. It’s got that specific, scratchy charm that makes you feel like you’re snooping through someone’s attic.
The plot is as thin as a postcard. A guy goes to rob a lady, and then—shocker—he decides he likes her too much to rob her. It’s the oldest trick in the book, really. It reminded me a bit of the romantic entanglements in The Wild Party, though with way more French moping and fewer jazz hands.
Honestly, the whole movie feels like it’s held together by tape and luck. The dialogue is snappy, but it’s delivered in that clipped, rapid-fire style that makes you wonder if they were being charged by the minute. It’s not trying to be The Black Book in terms of intensity, and thank god for that. It’s just a weird, small story about a guy who fails at being a criminal.
Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it a fun way to kill an hour while it rains outside? Maybe. I’ve seen worse movies, and I’ve seen movies that tried way too hard to be deep. This one just exists, and that’s fine. It’s like finding an old, dusty trinket in a drawer—it doesn't have a purpose, but you're glad you didn't throw it away yet. 🎞️
