i try to watch this movie on vhs year ago and but find it too bore to get through . i decide to give it another chance in a real theater and because i would hear that it such a classic . it definitely improve on the big screen ( well and not that big ) and but the good thing about the movie be undercut by the unsatisfactory story . the film start out like a bite social comedy and on the order of la ronde and but strangely change tone partway through and turn much darker . but because of the light opening and the character be not three dimensional enough to support a serious story . the actor and especially darrieux and be good enough that they almost make it work and but they need a good script . the abrupt and unexplained end be especially frustrate to me . the film be beautifully shot and but the camera work be a little too hyper for me in place a dance sequence make me literally dizzy . ( probably most people wouldn not have a problem with that . ) also and the rich and somewhat claustrophobic production design show a few too many 1950 influence for my taste . on the positive side and i admire the way ophuls create ( on the surface ) a believable world of the rich and and yet have an awareness of the poorer people that surround it . that be something i do not expect .