Although the screenplay was written by the director ,it shows Guy De Maupassant's short stories influence.It's one of these rare French comedies which isn't that funny .A story dealing with cuckolds (Bernard Blier played this character so many times ,let's just mention "Manèges" (1949))and with a town where nobody but the hero and the prostitute (a delightful Marthe Mercadier) is and acts like they seem.The beginning of the movie manages to feature two unexpected twists in a dozen of minutes.

Danielle Darrieux is perfect as a two bit Bovary bourgeois lady ,who kills time with her lover and her sewing room,abetted by the local vicar who "considers her a saint laywoman" !Bernard Blier is equally excellent as her not-so-handsome hubby,a man who really suffers :it's an uneven contest ,which , in the end ,justifies the immoral ending. Supporting cast is up to scratch:Jeanne Veniat shines in her part of a grandmother ,and she steals all the scenes she is in; granny is no longer the virtuous moralizing old lady ,who has never sinned : "these hereditary characteristics generally skip a generation" .Françoise Arnoul is the chamber maid who becomes her mistress's rival.Michel François began his career very early as he was one of the young children in "La Cage Aux Rossignols" (later remade as the notorious "Les Choristes" ) and an adolescent discovering love in "Dernières Vacances " .

Mouloudji sings "La Complainte Des Infidèles" (= Unfaithful lovers ' lament).

One should add that Carlo Rim made " La Maison Bonnadieu" just after his sketch of "Les Sept Péchés Capitaux" in which he told another story of cuckold with an unexpected twist.

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

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Studios Eclair, Epinay-sur-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, France

Danielle Darrieux in La maison Bonnadieu (1951)

Bernard Blier and Danielle Darrieux in La maison Bonnadieu (1951)

Françoise Arnoul and Danielle Darrieux in La maison Bonnadieu (1951)

Françoise Arnoul and Yette Lucas in La maison Bonnadieu (1951)

Françoise Arnoul and Michel François in La maison Bonnadieu (1951)

Marthe Mercadier in La maison Bonnadieu (1951)

Berthe Bovy and Yette Lucas in La maison Bonnadieu (1951)

Berthe Bovy in La maison Bonnadieu (1951)

La maison Bonnadieu

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