Mr Klein [Monsieur Klein] **** (1976, Alain Delon, Jeanne Moreau, Suzanne Flon, Michel Lonsdale, Louis Seigner, Juliet Berto, Francine Bergé) – Classic Movie Review 5837

Alain Delon is excellent as Monsieur Robert Klein in director Joseph Losey’s complex and fascinating 1976 mystery drama film Mr Klein, which follows a case of confused identity in Vichy France in 1942.

Alain Delon is excellent as Monsieur Robert Klein in director Joseph Losey’s complex and fascinating mystery drama film Mr Klein, which follows the case of confused identity between an apparently Gentile Parisian art dealer and a Jewish man the Nazis want to deport in Vichy France in 1942. It also stars Jeanne Moreau as Florence, Suzanne Flon as the concierge and Michel [Michael] Lonsdale as Pierre.

The French gave this chic 1976 Kafkaesque enigma film the 1977 César Award for the year’s Best Film, Losey the César for Best Director and Alexandre Trauner the César for Best Production Design. Delon was nominated for the César Award for Best Actor. There can be no doubts about the well-deployed talent and high-level expertise involved, but it is a dark and glum art house movie, all a bit gloomy and arty for noir-style mystery thriller entertainment.

However, it is remarkable as a lovingly crafted film made by a master: the Eastmancolor cinematography (Gerry Fisher) and set designs (Alexandre Trauner, Olivier Girard) are first rate. It is scripted, also lovingly, by Franco Solinas and Fernando Morandi.

Also in the cast are Louis Seigner, Juliet Berto, Francine Bergé, Jean Bouise, Massimo Girotti, Michel Aumont, Roland Bertin, Jean Champion, Etienne Chicot, Magali Clément, Gérard Jugnot, Francine Racette, and Jacques Maury.

It premiered at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival on 22 May 1976.

Rialto Pictures released a restored version of the film in 2019.

The cast are Alain Delon as Robert Klein, Jeanne Moreau as Florence, Michael Lonsdale as Pierre, Francine Bergé as Nicole, Juliet Berto as Jeanine, Massimo Girotti as Charles, Magali Clément as Lola, Louis Seigner as Robert’s father, Jean Bouise as seller, Suzanne Flon as concierge, Michel Aumont as civil servant, Roland Bertin as editor, Jean Champion as coroner, Étienne Chicot as 1st policeman, Pierre Vernier as 2nd policeman, Gérard Jugnot as photographer, Isabelle Sadoyan as consultation woman, and Hermine Karagheuz as working girl.

Jeanne Moreau (1928–2017) also stars in Losey’s Eva (1962).

Alain Fabien Maurice Marcel Delon (8 Nov.ember 1935 – 18 August 2024).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5,837

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