Rating of
2.5/4
Review - The Life of Emile Zola (1937)
Delorted - wrote on 11/10/07
Émile Zola (Paul Muni) was a famous French author known for his government smearing writings, as well as his role in the Dreyfuss affair in the 1890s. His story is very loosely told in the Best Picture winning film, “The Life of Emile Zola.”
Is it a problem with history or a problem with me that so many films are made about people I have never heard of? I suppose Zola was fresh on people’s minds in 1937, but today his writings are not taught in schools or considered essential readings of any kind. It’s funny and yet sad to see what happens to some people through history.
As for this film, while the acting is good and the story is honorable, there is really nothing new or interesting to see. There is nothing groundbreaking about it except maybe the fact that it is the first biography to win Best Picture. The music is average for the time period and the set filming is obvious.
I’m not sure exactly why this won Best Picture, but I suppose it was more about the subject matter than the movie itself. It’s always fun trying to figure out what the academy thinks makes a film worthy of their coveted award.
Acting: 8/10
Writing: 7/10
Video/Editing: 6/10
Audio/Music: 6/10
Entertainment: 6/10
Final Score: 6.6/10
