Movie spotlight
Le Père Goriot
Jean-Joachim Goriot, a merchant who got rich during the Revolution, is obsessed with the love of his two daughters, whose social promotion he wants. He endows them richly, ruins himself to pay their debts, but Delphine and Anastasie do not return his affection and abandon him at the time of his death to run to a big ball.
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Plot Summary
Based on Honoré de Balzac's novel, this adaptation follows the tragic story of Père Goriot, a wealthy noodle maker who sacrifices everything for his ungrateful daughters. As he descends into poverty and despair in a Parisian boarding house, his daughters, living lives of luxury and social climbing, abandon him. The film explores themes of social ambition, parental love, and the corrupting influence of wealth in 19th-century Paris.
Critical Reception
This adaptation of Balzac's classic novel received a mixed to positive reception, with critics often highlighting its faithfulness to the source material and strong performances, particularly from the actor portraying Père Goriot. However, some found the lengthy runtime and deliberate pacing to be challenging.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its fidelity to Balzac's intricate narrative and social commentary.
Applauded for its compelling portrayal of parental sacrifice and societal greed.
Some viewers found the film's length and somber tone to be demanding.
Google audience: Audience reception is not readily available for this specific 1972 adaptation.
Fun Fact
The 1972 film is one of several adaptations of Honoré de Balzac's renowned novel, which is considered a cornerstone of French literature and part of his larger work, 'La Comédie humaine'.
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