Le Million (1931) - René Clair

René Clair's Le Million is a light-hearted, magical early sound comedy from the well-known French filmmaker that tells the story of Michel, a Parisian artist, who is continuously hounded by various creditors whom he has struggled to repay for various services and products.  Facing mounting pressure, Michel miraculously learns that he has just won the Dutch lottery, with the winning ticket being nestled in his old, ragged jacket.  When he goes to receive the winning ticket, he learns that his fiancee, Beatrice, has given the jacket away to a stranger in need, setting off a frantic chase to track down the old jacket which holds the answer to all of Michel's problems.  Charming, light-hearted, and visually impressive, for the time period, Le Million is a musical comedy that effectively becomes an extended chase scene, with Michel racing through the streets of Paris to track down his lost winning lottery ticket.  Chair's direction is way ahead of its time and downright magic, with Le Million featuring a host of surrealistic touches as well as impressive use of sound, which not only aids the comedic aspect of the film but serves a blueprint for future filmmakers.  One example of this takes place in a chase scene, where Clair uses the sound effects of a soccer game as a comedic device, capturing the comedic absurdity and stakes of this character, who is racing against the clock to find the ticket.  One interesting aspect of Le Million is the negative perspective the town has on artists, with everyone from the butcher, baker, grocer, etc, all being owed money from this "deadbeat artist".  Some things never change apparently, but when these townsfolk learn of Michel's winning ticket, the hysteria begins, not only with Michel himself but the community around them, with one young girl exclaiming "Just to know a millionaire".  That being said, Le Million is probably not a film in which you should read too much into the characters utter reliance on money, as I don't think Clair's intention was to make a social statement.  Rene Clair's Le Million is a film well ahead of its time, having something magical about it that is hard to define.  Maybe it's the borderline absurdity of the narrative, or how the music, song, and dance evoke the feeling and mood of its characters so effortlessly, either way there is no denying that Le Million is a pleasant experience that is bound to leave the viewer smiling.  

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