THE MOON IN THE GUTTER (LA LUNE DANS LE CANIVEAU)

France, 1983, 137 minutes, Colour.
Gerard Depardieu, Nastassia Kinski, Victoria Abril.
Jean Jacques Beneix.

The Moon in the Gutter was co-written and directed by Jean-Jacques? Beineix. In 1982 Beineix became famous all over the world with his cult film, Diva. The critics were very harsh on his second film, The Moon in the Gutter. He was later to get back his artistic form as well as critical appreciation (and an Oscar nomination) for his third film Betty Blue.

This film is highly stylised. It is set on the docks of a French city -while the docks seem fairly realistic, their environment (even the sky and the moon clearly are not). Audiences may find the stylised sets and consequent acting style to their liking - or they may definitely not.

The film is very stylish in its production, Panavision and colour photography. It also boasts an excellent cast led by Gerard Depardieu and Nastassia Kinski. However, the film does seem particularly self-conscious in its style, writing and characterisations as well as exploration of themes. Many critics have linked the style of the film to classic '30s and '40s directors like Marcel Carne and Jacques Prevert.

1. An interesting film? Exploration of human nature? Realistic and stylised?

2. The work of Jean Jacques Beineix? Betty Blue? His failure with this film? His successful Diva and the use of studio sets; the atmosphere of location for the docks and the restaurants and hotels, apartments? The stylisation of the dock area, the sky? Use of Panavision and colour? Editing and pace? The length of the film and its mood?

3. The title and its romantic realism? seasons, the night, aspirations? Life in the gutter? The possibility of moving out of the gutter?

4. The strength of the cast? The focus on the moon, times and
Rich and poor? The portrait of Gerard: his work as a stevedore, a big and strong man? His drunken father and his having to cope with him? Lola and her presence in the house, her relationship with Tom? His relationship with Bella? Their love for each other, his refusal to marry? The atmosphere of squalor in the slums? Catherine and the rape? Gerard's obsession about revenge, trying to discover the culprit? His care for Catherine and her attempted suicide? His relationship with his brother Frank, his alcoholism? Gerard on the lookout, the decision to blame Newton Channing7 Channing's wealth, his presence in the dockyard? Drinking in the hotel? Gerard's focus on Loretta? His attraction towards her? Her response? His consciousness of class differences? The sequences between the two, the build-up to falling in love, proposal, the marriage,’ the semi-derelict cathedral? The transition to the morning? The hangover? Gerard with Bella? His discovery of what had happened? His reaction to Bella, to Loretta? At the docks, at work, the fight with the thugs? Bella's revenge? Frank and his blaming himself for the rape of his sister? Gerard's violence towards Frank? His relationship with Jesus, Jesus stopping him harming Frank? Loretta and her arrival? Gerard's confusion? His difficulty in moving from the world of the gutter? His decision to stay? Going back to Bella?

5. Bella and her relationship with Gerard? Love, wanting him to marry her? Catherine and Frank? The dive? Her reaction to Loretta? To the marriage? With Gerard in bed? Telling him what happened? Hysteria, anger? Her influence on the thugs, the bashing of Gerard? her winning out in the end?

6. The contrast with Loretta, relationship with her brother, coming to that part of the town? Her attraction towards Gerard, mutual response? Her slumming or not? Relationship, build-up to the marriage, her waiting? Her leaving? Coming back - the possibility of a permanent relationship with Gerard?

7. Frank, his drinking, his relationship with his brother and sister? His guild, believing himself to be the rapist? His almost becoming Gerard's victim?

8. Newton Channing, his background, the death of his parents, the accident? His guilt? Drinking in the dive? Under suspicion by Gerard? Loretta and her search for him? The effect of his experience in that part of the town?

9. The gallery of minor characters: Tom and his relationship to his son, Lola and her antagonism? Frank? The people in the bar? The people at work?

10. Blending of realism and fantasy? Insight into human nature? Tangled relationships? Vengeance and frustration? Love and sexuality? Differences of class?