France / Italy,
1958, 108 min
Directed by:
Jacques BeckerCinematography:
Christian MatrasComposer:
Paul MisrakiCast:
Gérard Philipe, Lilli Palmer, Lea Padovani, Lino Ventura, Anouk Aimée, Gérard Séty, Lila Kedrova, Judith Magre, Stéphane Audran, Jacques Marin, Harry-Max (more)Plots(1)
In tracing the latter part of Modigliani’s life, Montparnasse 19, focuses on the key figures during his time in Paris – his patron Léopold Zborowski (played by Gérard Séty) and two muses, Beatrice Hastings (Lilli Palmer) and Jeanne Hébuterne (Anouk Aimée) – and his gradual descent into alcoholism and drug addiction. The end results, both hauntingly beautiful and savagely ironic, are really quite remarkable. A fitting tribute to the outstanding careers of Ophuls and Philippe, and another excellent entry in the equally superb filmography of Becker, a filmmaker who is finally getting his due. (Arrow Academy)
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