{"id":1157,"date":"2006-05-30T18:23:11","date_gmt":"2006-05-31T01:23:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1157"},"modified":"2020-12-15T22:48:14","modified_gmt":"2020-12-16T05:48:14","slug":"cousins-les-1959","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1157","title":{"rendered":"Cousins, Les (1959)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;It&#8217;s an odd world we live in; you&#8217;ll see.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Poster-188x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"188\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-28989\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Poster-188x300.jpg 188w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Poster-80x128.jpg 80w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Poster.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA naive college student named Charles (Gerard Blain) comes to live with his sophisticated cousin Paul (Jean-Claude Brialy) in Paris, and falls in love with the beautiful yet emotionally unavailable Florence (Juliette Mayniel). <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Genres:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>College<\/li>\n<li>Claude Chabrol Films<\/li>\n<li>French Films<\/li>\n<li>Love Triangle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review:<\/strong><br \/>\nI agree with Peary that it&#8217;s difficult to feel much attachment towards the characters in this bleak yet innovative New Wave film.  Part of the problem is that it takes too long for things to get rolling, given that the first half-hour or so is devoted simply to showing Charles&#8217;s initiation into the wild student life of partying, bar-hopping, playing cards, and sleeping around.  <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Students.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Students-1024x633.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"396\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Students-1024x633.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Students-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Students-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Students-768x475.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Students-1536x950.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Students-437x270.png 437w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Students.png 1641w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Then, once the plot finally begins to develop some steam, we must watch in frustration as hapless Charles falls head-over-heels in love with the beautiful Florence, only to have her stolen from right under his nose by Paul.  Indeed, Paul &#8212; with his devilish goatee and cavalier arrogance &#8212; is utterly unappealing, and is a large part of what made this movie rather unpleasant for me. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Paul.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Paul-1024x659.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"412\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Paul-1024x659.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Paul-300x193.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Paul-128x82.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Paul-768x494.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Paul-1536x988.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Paul-420x270.png 420w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Paul.png 1597w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>What is ultimately more interesting than either the plot or the characters, however, is director Claude Chabrol&#8217;s palette of filmic techniques, which include (as Peary points out) strategic character placement and an &#8220;inventive use of foreground and background&#8221;.  It&#8217;s an impressive display of experimentation, and makes the film a treat for the eyes if not for the heart.   <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fine direction<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Direction.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Direction-1024x636.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"398\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Direction-1024x636.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Direction-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Direction-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Direction-768x477.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Direction-1536x954.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Direction-435x270.png 435w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Direction.png 1631w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>A revealing glimpse of 1950s student life<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Student-Life.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Student-Life-1024x630.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"394\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Student-Life-1024x630.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Student-Life-300x185.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Student-Life-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Student-Life-768x473.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Student-Life-1536x945.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Student-Life-439x270.png 439w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Student-Life.png 1649w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Atmospheric cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Cinematography5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Cinematography5-1024x654.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"409\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Cinematography5-1024x654.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Cinematography5-300x192.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Cinematography5-128x82.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Cinematography5-768x490.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Cinematography5-1536x981.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Cinematography5-423x270.png 423w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Les-Cousins-Cinematography5.png 1621w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes. As a forerunner of the French New Wave, it&#8217;s worth a look for historical purposes alone.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<li>Important Director<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0052708\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1959\/11\/24\/archives\/screen-the-cousins-french-import-is-a-gloomy-portrait.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s an odd world we live in; you&#8217;ll see.&#8221; Synopsis: A naive college student named Charles (Gerard Blain) comes to live with his sophisticated cousin Paul (Jean-Claude Brialy) in Paris, and falls in love with the beautiful yet emotionally unavailable Florence (Juliette Mayniel). Genres: College Claude Chabrol Films French Films Love Triangle Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: I agree with Peary that it&#8217;s difficult to feel much attachment towards the characters in this bleak yet innovative New Wave film. Part of&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1157\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1157"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1157\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58150,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1157\/revisions\/58150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}