Saturday, August 12, 2023

Book review - "Jean Gabin: The Man Who Was France" by Joseph Harriss

 Gabin's a very good actor, extremely effective in some films. Made some legendary movies especially in the late 30s, no so much after the War. He was a nepo baby in a way, in that his father was in the biz, but he worked his way up.

A decent book. Relies a lot on the work of others but some fresh stuff, like a quote from Brigitte Bardot. And it's put together in an easy to read style.

My main thing: Gabin was a wanker. A bore. Got some good movies but that maybe was more luck. Most redeeming thing was his war service - only he and Jean Pierre Aumont had good reacords on that, apparently. But he beat Marlene Dietrich and I'm sure there would've been others. He whinged. Sooked about the state of France, new directors, women. Wouldn't attend his daughter's wedding. Just an old whiny wanker.

I totally respect what he did as an actor and star and a French icon. I just got a bit sick of him.

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