It's both a remarkable forerunner of political changes to come and a sign of stiffening battle lines... But what's extraordinary about "The Crime of Monsieur Lange" is that it makes the predatory boss immensely appealing: the actor who plays him, Jules Berry, is a bluff, vigorous, excitingly hot-blooded and good-humored actor, who, Renoir said, improvised most of his lines (and they're good ones).
Richard Brody
December 6, 2011