Madame de... is one hell of a crazy movie. It's about this materialistic and spoiled lady who sells her precious pair of earrings (the wedding gift from her husband) only to have it back again several years later, now from a charming suitor who has bought it in Constantinople. It's one of those narratives too resilient to be true, but never for a second does the film show any sign of force. On the contrary, it's heavy with grace and wonders. And those long takes and exquisitely shot dances are lovely!
Anyway, this is my favorite scene from the film, in which Madame de.... fishes for compliments and gets them:
Her suitor Donati visits her. He was challenged by her husband to a pistol duel. Of course, being such a gallant baron provoked by an esteemed general, he agreed. She asks this question ^
Which he answers with flattery. And then not even a fraction of a second after:
LOL MYGAD WOMAN YOUR EYES TWINKLE OH SO SUDDENLY
And then she plunges into self-pity again. What a brat.
Anyway, as I said I love the movie, warts and all, and even the warts I truly enjoyed watching. Max Ophuls is excellent at telling romance stories that go round and round and round. You gotta admire the costume design and art direction too.
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