by Ted Davis

English Title: Crime and Punishment

Directed by: Georges Lampin

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Another adaptation of the Fyodor Dostoevsky novel, updated to mid 20th century France, in which arrogant and embittered student René Brunel (Robert Hossein), who is also a Napoleon worshipper (an obvious red flag), kills a greedy harridan pawnbroker (Gabrielle Fontan) for reasons which are not entirely known even to himself. Tormented by incessant lashings of guilt, René is alternately soothed by spiritually minded prostitute Lili Marcellin (Marina Vlady) and exasperated by the sententious Commisaire Gallet (Jean Gabin), who is relentless in his efforts to bring the clumsy murderer to justice.

Purr Blurs: During a heated family argument about the merits of middle aged M. Monestier (Bernard Blier) as a potential husband for René’s young and innocent sister Nicole (Ulla Jacobson), a tabby cat curls up on a chair to better ignore the irritating commotion.

As sad eyed Lili walks the quayside while plying her trade, just moments before meeting René again, a young black cat descends a nearby outside stairway.

Final Mewsings: At the end of the movie, Commisaire Gallet states that societal order is essential, a notion that most cats will reject entirely.

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