The Crime of Monsieur Lange
dir. Jean Renoir · 1936
Plot
A man and a woman arrive in a cafe-hotel near the Belgian frontier. The customers recognize the man from the police description. His name is Amedee Lange, and he murdered Batala in Paris. His ladyfriend Valentine tells the whole story: Lange was an employee in Batala's little printing works. Batala was a real bastard, swindling everyone, seducing female workers of Valentine's laundry - One day, he fled to avoid facing his creditors, and the workers set up a cooperative to go on working. But the plot is less important that the description of the atmosphere just before the Popular Front.
Why watch
"The Crime of Monsieur Lange" masterfully blends humor and melancholy, capturing the spirit of a cooperative community grappling with moral complexities in the face of social upheaval. With its charming characters and poignant social commentary, this film invites viewers to reflect on the absurdities of life and the power of collective action.