Testament of Dr. Cordelier, The

Director:  Jean Renoir
Year Released:  1959
Rating:  2.0

Made-for-TV movie has Renoir rehashing the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde story with Jean-Louis Barrault as the stoic doctor and crazed creation. His "Hyde" (here called "Opale") is more goofy than scary, with his oversized coat, excessive arm and facial hair and gopher cheeks - he trips people with his cane, chokes little girls and body rushes people and not a single person seems able to catch him. If you're familiar with the story this one should come as no real surprise, and the acting is a smidge overwrought. I'm guessing people-positive Renoir took to the story because it argues against messing around with basic human nature via chemicals, and I'm not sure either Robert Louis Stevenson or Renoir would be altogether pleased with the dependence on mood drugs in today's society.

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