Watch The Lower Depths

The Lower Depths is a 1936 French drama film based on Maxim Gorky's play of the same name. Directed by Jean Renoir, the film stars Jean Gabin, Suzy Prim, and Louis Jouvet. The story takes place in a run-down boarding house in Paris, where a group of destitute people live together, struggling to survive amid poverty and despair. Among the residents are a thief named Pépel, a drunkard named Kostylyov, a former actor named Vassiliev, and a prostitute named Natacha. They all come from different backgrounds and have their own personal struggles, but all of them are united by their shared misery and hopelessness.

The film explores the complex relationships between the characters, and how they cope with their difficult circumstances. Pépel, played by Jean Gabin, is the central figure of the story. He is a cold-hearted criminal who only cares about his own survival, but he is also capable of acts of kindness and compassion. Natacha, played by Suzy Prim, is a prostitute who dreams of a better life, but is trapped in her profession by poverty and lack of education. Louis Jouvet plays Vassiliev, a former actor who has fallen from grace and now lives in the boarding house, reminiscing about his past glory.

The Lower Depths is a powerful and poignant drama that touches on themes of poverty, class struggles, and human frailty. It is a commentary on the society of the time, where the gap between the rich and the poor was ever-widening, and where people at the bottom of the social ladder were often ignored and forgotten. The film portrays a world where hope is hard to come by, and where the characters are forced to find solace in their own despair.

One of the remarkable aspects of The Lower Depths is its attention to detail in recreating the setting of the boarding house. The film was shot on location, and the director went to great lengths to make sure that the environment was authentic and realistic. The grim and squalid interiors of the boarding house are brought to life with an eerie realism that adds to the bleakness of the story.

The film is also notable for its strong performances by the cast. Jean Gabin delivers a powerful portrayal of Pépel, a complex and conflicted character who is both sympathetic and detestable. Suzy Prim brings a sense of pathos to the role of Natacha, a tragic figure who is both vulnerable and resilient. Louis Jouvet is also excellent as Vassiliev, a man haunted by his own past and unable to come to terms with his present.

Overall, The Lower Depths is a masterful work of cinema that deftly balances social commentary with personal drama. It is a moving and thought-provoking film that explores the darker aspects of the human condition, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The Lower Depths is a 1936 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.