Le Beau Serge was the first film of French critic-turned-director
Claude Chabrol. Though not a murder melodrama, the film is heavily influenced by the works of
Chabrol's idol
Alfred Hitchcock,
Shadow of a Doubt in particular. Ailing city dweller Francois (
Jean-Claude Brialy) makes a therapeutic return visit to his home town in the country. Here he visits childhood friend Serge (
Gerard Blain),
and is appalled to find how far Serge has plummeted into alcoholism and
self-pity. The two protagonists indulge in a transference of personal
guilt, then an "exchange of redemption" (to quote
Chabrol chronicler Charles Derry). Highly influential in the French New Wave movement of the 1950s,
Le Beau Serge
has something very special to say about the care and nurturing of
friendship, especially one that has dimmed with distance and time. Both
male stars, as well as leading lady
Bernadette Lafont, would continue working with director
Chabrol for the remainder of his career.
