Stormy Waters

PUBLISHED ON 15.10.2022

Stormy Waters, 1941

Hybrid first of all because he bridges the gap between the maverick Jean Gabin, the lonely guy revolted by society in pre-war cinema, and the definitive gentleman of the films of the 1950s and beyond. Stormy Waters shows that whatever his age, Gabin remains charismatic. The actor who likes to whisper his dialogue takes on the role of Captain Laurent, who saves sinking ships. With a visual poetry that is the hallmark of his cinema, director Jean Grémillon increases the number of nocturnal and maritime scenes with large halos in the night. But the greatest danger facing the sailors and the hero is not in the midst of the action on the sea, but on land in the intimate sphere.

In this realm, Stormy Waters takes on all its strength and finesse, and turns into a character study. Indeed, the film is above all the merciless portrait of a man who is too rigid. Sure of his quiet and slightly immature virility as a young man, this captain's character is suddenly invaded by the passion of love (a theme so dear to the cinema of Prévert, who wrote the dialogue). Without humiliating or judging him, Grémillon follows him, portraying him honestly, that is to say, by showing the entire journey of this man, as tall as an immovable statue, who suddenly collapses humbly, understanding that what happens between two people is nobody’s business.

Virginie Apiou

To discover among the French films of the Lumière Classics label

Stormy Waters by Jean Grémillon (1941)

> Wednesday, 19 October 2022 at 4.15pm at the UGC Ciné Cité Confluence

> Thursday, 20 October 2022 at 6.30pm at Pathé Bellecour

> Saturday, 22 October 2022 at 2pm at the Institut Lumière