La joyeuse prison
Benoit, the head guard of Clouville Prison, prefers to be liked than feared. This basic principle transforms the jail-house into a joyful prison, where all the inmates live amicably together. Among them, various colorful characters : a farmer, a poacher, a distiller, a forger, two pickpockets, a safe-cracker, a gangster and... a good-looking guy who pleases Rosette, Benoit's daughter, well. But too much leniency takes its toll : after Vauclin, the gangster, manages to escape and a complaint is filed against "the deplorable disorder reigning in the joyful prison", Benoit is given early retirement. He will know how to take advantage of his new status live a joyful life with his wife, his daughter and André, his son in law, in fact the nice-looking young prisoner who, in the meantime, has been cleared of all charges.
Insights
Plot Summary
A wealthy industrialist, Ferdinand, is known for his stinginess and the strictness with which he runs his household. His wife, unable to stand his behavior any longer, decides to take revenge. She pretends to be ill, which leads Ferdinand to promise her anything she desires. She then uses this opportunity to spend extravagantly, buying everything she wants, much to Ferdinand's dismay. The situation escalates as Ferdinand's attempts to curb her spending are thwarted by his own promise, leading to a humorous and chaotic unraveling of his carefully controlled life.
Critical Reception
The film was a moderate success in France, appreciated for its lighthearted comedic elements and the performances of its lead actors. While not a critical darling, it provided an enjoyable cinematic experience for audiences of the time, fitting within the popular comedic traditions of French cinema in the mid-1950s.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its comedic timing and humorous situations.
- Arletty and Bernard Blier's performances were highlighted as a major strength.
- The plot was considered predictable by some but entertaining overall.
Google audience: Audience reception data is not readily available for this film.
Fun Fact
The film's original title was 'La Prisonnière volontaire' (The Voluntary Prisoner) before being changed to 'La Joyeuse Prison' (The Joyful Prison).
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