{"id":95111,"date":"2024-01-22T00:09:04","date_gmt":"2024-01-22T07:09:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=95111"},"modified":"2024-01-22T11:51:24","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T18:51:24","slug":"diary-of-a-chambermaid-1964","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=95111","title":{"rendered":"Diary of a Chambermaid (1964)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Would you mind if I touched your calf?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Poster-236x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"236\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-95112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Poster-236x300.png 236w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Poster-101x128.png 101w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Poster-212x270.png 212w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Poster.png 739w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 236px) 100vw, 236px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen a Parisian maid (Jeanne Moreau) arrives at the country chateau of a man (Michel Picoli) with a foot-fetishing father (Jean Ozenne) and a frigid wife (Fran\u00e7oise Lugagne), she quickly learns that the groundskeeper (Georges G\u00e9ret) is a Fascist; that the couple&#8217;s neighbor (Daniel Ivernel) is perpetually vindictive; and that a young girl (Dominique Sauvage) is at risk from predators.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Class Relations<\/li>\n<li>French Films<\/li>\n<li>Jeanne Moreau Films<\/li>\n<li>Luis Bu\u00f1uel Films<\/li>\n<li>Murder Mystery <\/li>\n<li>Servants, Maids, and Housekeepers<\/li>\n<li>Strong Females<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nLuis Bu\u00f1uel&#8217;s first collaboration with screenwriter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0140643\/\">Jean-Claude Carri\u00e8re<\/a> was this loosely inspired adaptation of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Diary_of_a_Chambermaid_(novel)\">a 1900 novel by Octave Mirbeau<\/a>, previously adapted by <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=9769\">Jean Renoir (1946)<\/a> with Paulette Goddard in the title role. It&#8217;s challenging to know what to make of the storyline here, which starts off as a fairly straightforward tale of a savvy working-class woman navigating bourgeois perversities: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Lamp.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Lamp-1024x436.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-95118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Lamp-1024x436.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Lamp-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Lamp-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Lamp-768x327.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Lamp-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Lamp.png 1293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <\/p>\n<p>&#8230; but takes a decidedly darker turn when one key character dies suddenly, another is brutally murdered, and Moreau shifts into an amateur detective role. Things certainly don&#8217;t end in a satisfying or conclusive manner, and we&#8217;re left (possibly intentionally so) feeling quite unsettled. Given that this is a Bu\u00f1uel film, that&#8217;s not so surprising &#8212; though it&#8217;s all accomplished without any overtly surreal imagery. As noted in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/73071\/diary-of-a-chambermaid#articles-reviews?articleId=474228\">David Kalat&#8217;s review for TCM<\/a>, &#8220;If there&#8217;s anything that ties Bu\u00f1uel&#8217;s films together, it is their commitment to intellectual anarchy, their refusal to be tied down by anything so reductive as a simple interpretation.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> A benefit of watching a number of foreign language titles in chronological order is feeling better able to place certain supporting actors who seemed to be cast to type &#8212; as is the case here with Fran\u00e7oise Lugagne playing a variation on the same kind of uptight wife she embodied in Claude Chabrol&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=94856\"><em>Bluebeard<\/em> (1963)<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Wife-Concoction.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Wife-Concoction-1024x438.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"274\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-95117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Wife-Concoction-1024x438.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Wife-Concoction-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Wife-Concoction-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Wife-Concoction-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Wife-Concoction-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Wife-Concoction.png 1291w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jeanne Moreau as C\u00e9lestine<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-1964-Moreau.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-1964-Moreau-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-95115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-1964-Moreau-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-1964-Moreau-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-1964-Moreau-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-1964-Moreau-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-1964-Moreau-1536x656.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-1964-Moreau-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-1964-Moreau.png 1897w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine cinematography and sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Period-Sets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Period-Sets-1024x433.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"271\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-95114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Period-Sets-1024x433.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Period-Sets-300x127.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Period-Sets-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Period-Sets-768x325.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Period-Sets-604x255.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-of-a-Chambermaid-Period-Sets.png 1289w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Dark.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Dark-1024x444.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"278\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-95120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Dark-1024x444.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Dark-300x130.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Dark-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Dark-768x333.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Dark-604x262.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Diary-Chambermaid-Dark.png 1292w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, though it&#8217;s worth a look. Listed as a film with Historical Importance and a Personal Recommendation in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0058249\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s257diary.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/73071\/diary-of-a-chambermaid#articles-reviews?articleId=474228\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Would you mind if I touched your calf?&#8221; Synopsis: When a Parisian maid (Jeanne Moreau) arrives at the country chateau of a man (Michel Picoli) with a foot-fetishing father (Jean Ozenne) and a frigid wife (Fran\u00e7oise Lugagne), she quickly learns that the groundskeeper (Georges G\u00e9ret) is a Fascist; that the couple&#8217;s neighbor (Daniel Ivernel) is perpetually vindictive; and that a young girl (Dominique Sauvage) is at risk from predators. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Class Relations French Films Jeanne Moreau&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=95111\"> 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":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-95111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95111","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=95111"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95111\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":95136,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95111\/revisions\/95136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=95111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=95111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=95111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}