Bufere

Considering the irrepressible Jean Gabin's film career spanned over forty years and resulted in nigh on a hundred films there are bound to be highs and lows. This is one of three films released in 1953 which probably qualify as troughs rather than peaks. The Italian title literally translates as 'Storms' but the title 'Fille Dangereuse' given to the French version is more appropriate as they don't come much more dangerous than the Daisy of Silvana Pampanini! She is part of a trapeze act with her 'brother' Mario who has a near fatal fall. Enter surgeon Antonio who performs an emergency operation. Despite his happy marriage he succumbs to her undeniable charms only to find out that she and Mario are not siblings but lovers....... This is a pretty risible melodrama that is saved by the playing of the cast. Gabin, still smoking like a chimney, is well 'dubbed' and the pneumatic Pampanini is invariably 'dubbed' anyway. Serge Reggiani is very good as the morally ambiguous Mario. His acrobat's body is now shattered but he is not above asking the surgeon for money. Lovely Carla del Poggia makes the most of a thankless part as the jilted wife. Her initially passive character turns out to be made of sterner stuff and the means she employs to frighten off the 'other woman' are decidedly extreme! Mario Montuori is behind the camera and it is solidly directed by Guido Brignone probably best known for 'Under the Southern Cross' made during the Mussolini days. Gabin does not have to wait long however for another 'peak' as 'Touchez-pas au Grisbi' is just over the horizon.

So the movie loses 80% of its appeal.What's the point of casting this French actor who cannot speak the Italian language as an Italian surgeon?At least his compatriot Serge Reggiani keeps his voice! This is pure bourgeois melodrama,the well-known tale of the forty-something ,who's happy with his straight tender wife and his lovable boy,but who falls for a gorgeous brunette ,the femme fatale in all her splendor.

Silvana Pampanini is well cast as Daisy the bad gal .Serge Reggiani 's part is underwritten: his frames of mind when he is bedridden in Gabin's gloomy hospital,suggest his character may not be too simplistic,but all that follows is no exception to the rules of mediocre melodrama.Gabin's wife is not lacking in dignity but the final scenes are hardly plausible ,for that kind of frail posh lady.

If you like Gabin,you'd better choose the French movie he made just before "Bufere",Delannoy's "La Minute de Vérité".