REVIEW: Becker builds atmosphere in ‘Antoine and Antoinette’
Photo: Roger Pigaut and Claire Mafféi star in Jacques Becker’s Antoine and Antoinette (1947). Photo courtesy of Film Forum / Provided with permission.
Antoine and Antoinette, the first part of director Jacques Becker’s Youth Trilogy, follows a couple as they navigate a difficult day involving a winning lottery ticket. The 1947 classic is playing as part of a Becker retrospective at New York City’s recently renovated Film Forum.
Roger Pigaut plays Antoine, a worker at a book publishing company. Claire Mafféi plays Antoinette, a photo booth operator at a department store. The married couple seem to enjoy life, but they also struggle to pay the bills and turn a profit.
Things change when Antoine chooses the right numbers and wins the lottery, to the tune of 800,000 francs. The problem is that he misplaces the winning ticket and must retrace his steps to find the piece of paper that will help them escape the lower class.
The plot in Becker’s movie is quite simple, having the feel of O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi. Rather than focusing on the drama involving the lottery ticket, the filmmaker is more interested in creating a unique atmosphere involving the community of characters who surround Antoine and Antoinette.
It is this slice-of-life vibe that makes the 1947 film must-see viewing, mostly because it feels ahead of its time. Its script is daring in how loose and structure-less it comes across. Characters come and go, and Antoine and Antoinette live their lives in a realistic setting. Other than the lottery ticket conceit, there’s not much narrative to the proceedings, and that gives the characters the chance to dig in deep and simply … be.
The performances match Becker’s skills, especially from Mafféi, who does not know about the lottery ticket’s loss until the end. This means she continues staying positive and focused, while Pigaut’s character scrambles and sweats. The married couple, because of their circumstances, make for an interesting study in duality, and Becker highlights their strengths through his careful focus.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Antoine and Antoinette (1947), written and directed by Jacques Becker, stars Claire Mafféi and Roger Piguat. Running time: 84 minutes. In French with English subtitles. Running at New York City’s Film Form as part of the Jacques Becker retrospective. Screenings: Aug. 1 at 4:45 p.m., Aug. 3 at 2:45 p.m., Aug. 5 at 12:30 p.m. and 6:40 p.m., Aug. 6 at 12:30 p.m., Aug. 8 at 12:30 p.m., Aug. 10 at 12:30 p.m., Aug. 12 at 8:45 p.m., Aug. 14 at 12:30 p.m. and Aug. 16 at 4:30 p.m. Click here for more information. Rating: 
