Le Quai des brumes

A classical French melodrama with elements of the noir genre about a military deserter who encounters a fateful love and several men from the outskirts of society during his journey. Their encounter has fatal consequences for him. High-quality cinematography, and a top-notch performance by Jean Gabin, who was already creating space for himself to become the greatest French male film star at the time. Plot-wise, however, it is relatively unremarkable. Michel Simon takes on the role of a villain as if from bad anti-Semitic films, appearing as a greedy and lascivious Jew. Overall impression: 65%. (24/04/2010)