Le déjeuner sur l'herbe
1959 [FRENCH]
Action / Comedy / Romance
Plot summary
New Europe presidential candidate Etienne Alexis is a scientist promoting artificial insemination for social betterment and therapy to eliminate passion. To celebrate his engagement to a cousin, he hosts an aseptic picnic, where Mother Nature asserts herself. A shepherd's flute conjures a windstorm throwing Alexis together with the luscious Nénette, a farm lass who, although unimpressed with men, wants to have a baby.
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
This is very much an arty film and
Slight but charming
A satirical farce from Renoir on the bourgeoisie, (naturally), built around the subject of artificial insemination and sex but too broad to make a real impact, a kind of Carry On Picnicing. Paul Meurisse is the priggish scientist running for President of Europe who wants to make babies the arificial way but who comes under the spell of Nenette, (Catherine Rouvel), quite literally thanks to a flute-playing shepherd who can conjour up a wind-storm if need be. It looks great, (Renoir shot it in colour), and there's a nice score by Joseph Kosma but in the Renoir canon it's really only a divertissement . Still, even a Renoir divertissement counts for something and this one is undeniably 'charmant'.







