Henry Decoin is an underrated interesting director whose movies have often stood the test of time.When he's at his best ("la vérité sur bébé donge" "non coupable") he displays Julien Duvivier's and Henri-Georges Clouzot's influence,but he's not as noir as them.

Take "le bienfaiteur":like Clouzot's "le corbeau" ,which was to be released the following year it deals with the good and the evil in a Provinces town.But Clouzot would have not allowed himself such a redeeming and "moral" end ,Duvivier wouldn't either."Le bienfaiteur" is the case of the man who leads a double life ,sometimes a highly respected man,sometimes a gang leader :it's not that much original a story but Raimu's genius would make you swallow the lousiest screeplay.Dig this line he repeats four (you read well) times:"When your heart stops beating,you're dead"(sic).Besides,his flame, a holier-than -thou spinster whom he wants to marry (well played by Suzy Prim) lives in another world of charitable organization (orphan girls),always surrounded by Virgin Mary statues.

The man who leads a double life subject will be better applied on "non coupable" ,the best Decoin's attempt at a true film noir."Non coupable" ,unfortunately,and in spite of Michel Simon's presence ,remains widely overlooked ,even among French cine buffs.

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A kind and generous village noble, specializing in good works, actually leads a double existence and carries out dishonest activities.

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Le bienfaiteur

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