A Solidão da Riqueza

So, Sellers is not only an amazing actor, but also succesful as a director...Not surprised. What a talented chap! Sadly, the film is not as popular as it deserves to be.

This is the fourth film version of Marcel Pagnol's play, the third of which was directed by Pagnol himself and here Peter Sellers as the title character is following in the footsteps of luminaries Louis Jouvet, John Barrymore and Fernandel. This would be a daunting enough task for the best of actors but Mr. Sellers alas does not fall into that category. He has furthermore made a rod for his own back by attempting to direct the piece. A handful of actor/directors have managed to pull off the double but he is certainly not one of them.

He has to his credit cast the film well, notably Herbert Lom, Nadia Gray and John Neville and the film perks up a little when they appear. Georges van Parys' idiomatic score is a delight whilst the excellent art direction is by Peter Murton, best known for his work on the Bond films.

The film is weakened however by the confounded Cinemascope format, plodding direction, dire pacing and one would have to say, Seller's performance. We are again witnessing brilliant mimicry with utter emptiness behind it although those who consider Sellers a great actor will no doubt consider this view to be heretical.

One critic has suggested that Sellers' sole directorial effort is in need of reappraisal.... No sir, it is not!

It's maybe not a masterpiece, but it surely is an enjoyable watch.

A few know that Peter Sellers once-apart from starring-directed a film! This was "Mr.Topaze" or "I Like money"(as it was screened by that name in the US). Actually, it is not a masterpiece, but not a poor film too, as the reviews of its time claimed. Peter plays a naive teacher, a man of spirit who is corrupted by money and power. What is very interesting is that the film has quite many "serious" moments and Peter depicts the teacher with accuracy. What's more, the film's finale isn't comic at all. Pity this film was never released on VHS on DVD(but it is never too late, is it?)!

This is truly a very interesting film. It's not a masterpiece, but it's worth watching this film if you like Peter Sellers.