who let the cat in?

in 1971 two immensely revered french actors came together to film a very simple story. they gave great performances as a long time married couple living in an old apartment building. both the building and the couple are in ruins. i suppose the dwelling is the metaphor. i often wonder how a decrepit place got to be that way. 

actor jean gabin plays the husband, a man who transferred any spousal affection he might have had onto his cat. the cat must have been so pleased to be getting a daily dish of milk that it overlooked the strange set up that occurred each mealtime. the fact that it's owners don't talk to one another is not nearly as odd as how they don't look at each other, cause the wife's back faces her husband. 

simone signoret is a french actress who went from looking like an adorable cat herself, to looking quite rough. too many gitanes! she is great as the silently furious wife.

the film is arresting. watching these two cinematic giants shuffle their slippers toward a lamentable finish is super fun, even though you know your heart is breaking for people like them.

the story was written by george simenon, a man who wrote over 300 books.