Monsieur Vincent

Plot

Pierre Fresnay stars as St. Vincent De Paul in this reverent but realistic French biopic. The film traces "Monsieur Vincent's" progress from his days of forced servitude in Algiers to his entry into the priesthood, culminating with his Herculean efforts on behalf of the ill and destitute in early 17th-century France. Featured in the huge cast are Aime Clairimond as Cardinal de Richelieu and Germaine Dermoz as Queen Anne of Austria. Made under the most trying of conditions over a two-year period, Monsieur Vincent remains the chef d'ouevre of director Maurice Cloche. The film won France's Grand Prix award in 1947, and the following year was honored with Hollywood's "best foreign picture" Oscar. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Review

One of the finest biopics of a religious figure, Monsieur Vincent is a moving paean to its titular character that avoids the trap of painting its subject as a saint rather than a man. It's one of the film's greatest achievements that it acknowledges Vincent DePaul's ambivalent feelings about the poor -- that they are "unjust and foul-mouthed," yet this just means that one must work harder to love them more. Director Maurice Cloche effectively captures the stark reality of 17th century life, using it as a frame to demonstrate how impressive DePaul's achievements were. He also makes Monsieur Vincent an epic, a film that is much larger than life but that does not fall prey to ponderousness or excess. Claude Renoir's gorgeous, evocative cinematography is an enormous asset, setting mood and atmosphere and imbuing even great sweeps with an underlying feeling of intimacy. Cloche is also blessed by his DePaul, the remarkable Pierre Fresnay, whose moving performance is the tent pole upon which the film hangs. Stirring and extremely affecting, Monsieur Vincent is a glorious cinematic experience. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast

• Pierre Fresnay - Saint Vincent de Paul
• Lise Delamare - Countess de Gondi
• Gabrielle Dorziat - Mme. Groussault
• Aimé Clariond - Cardinal de Richelieu
• Jean Debucourt - Count Philippe de Gondi

Yvonne Gaudeau - Louise de Marillac; Jean Carmet - Abbe Portall; Pierre Dux - Chancellor Seguler; Georges Vitray - Mons. de Rougemont; Marcel Vallee - Hospital Supervisor; Michel Bouquet - Consumptive; Germaine Dermoz - Anne of Austria

Credit

Maurice Cloche - Director, Jean Feyte - Editor, Jean-Jacques Grünenwald - Composer (Music Score), Claude Renoir - Cinematographer, Leon Carre - Production Manager, René Renoux - Set Designer, Jean Anouilh - Dialogue Writer, Jean Anouilh - Screenwriter, Maurice Cloche - Screenwriter, Jean Bernard-Luc - Screenwriter

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