La Testament Du Docteur Cordelier

Jean Renoir - 1959
Renoir for T.V.; not too different. Indeed, this is obviously a Renoir film, though maybe a few more cuts than would otherwise be. Formally, the most interesting element is probably the abstractness of the set, the lack of details. This gives that fable like wuality the framing device, otherwise unimportant I would say, gives it.
How to tell such a well known story, Jekyll and Hyde? Renoir tries to make a mystery sometimes, which is odd, as we all know what happens. I like the approach, as of the book, to work from the associate, even if he does run away from that near the end.
The updating is interesting. Jekyll is here cold and malign; like a capitalist charity giver. Renoir clearly suggests that cold evil can lie in these hearts. It all lacks the warmth of Mamoulian's version, which I frankly thought a little more passionate, but it has its moments.
Do i find, just small signs, the great humanist Renoir, the lover of the world, even a little pessimism? Human nature has misery, cruelty, that here is suggested makes life not even worthwhile; throughout Renoir, cruelty is certainly unstoppable, a 'natural' part of life. The concept of 'nature' in Renoir would interest. By the way, who is Renoir's Michael Simon? Jekyll, Hyde, or both/neither?