Main Cast: Paul Meurisse, Catherine Rouvel, Jean-Pierre Granval, Fernand Sardou
Release Year: 1959
Country: FR
Run Time: 92 minutes
Plot
Jean Renoir never made any secret that Picnic on the Grass (Le Dejeuner sur L'Herbe) was inspired by the impressionist paintings of his father Auguste Renoir, and also of Edouard Monet. The near-surrealistic plotline concerns priggish US presidential candidate Paul Meurisse, who carries on a sterile, clinical courtship with Ingrid Nordine. Proposing that he and Nordine have an image-boosting "picnic on the grass", the scientifically-oriented Meurisse is distracted by the visceral charms of country girl Catherine Rouvel. Previously a strong advocate of "artificial sex", Meurisse changes his mind after dallying with the lusty Rouvel. Almost childlike in its approach to the material at hand, Picnic on the Grass is one of Renoir's most playful efforts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Le Dejeuner sur l'Herbe is an odd but oddly charming entry in the Jean Renoir canon. This oddness is partly bought about by the science fiction trappings -- a setting in the future, a conflict between science and nature, etc. -- that hang upon the film and are essential to the plot, yet which somehow don't feel totally natural. This is understandable, as Renoir's films always feel as if they're set in an earlier era even when they're contemporary, and this continues to be the case in Dejeuner, despite the script's insistence that it is set in the future. Truth to tell, in Dejeuner, Renoir is not working with one of his finest screenplays; the satire is not fresh, the "ideas" are not compelling, and some of the situations are predictable. These faults limit the film, but they don't keep it from being a very diverting little romantic fable. And as part of Renoir's "Impressionist Trilogy," Dejeuner is a visual delight. Once again, Renoir immerses himself and the viewer in an orgy of color that is simply irresistible. While the use of a multi-camera technique hems the director in somewhat due to a necessary repetition in the choice of exact angles available, it does give an immediacy to the proceedings that is quite effective. Le Dejeuner sur l'Herbe is not a Renoir classic, but it's immensely appealing. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
