MovieChat Forums > Les enfants du paradis (1946) Discussion > Greatest screenplay ever?

Greatest screenplay ever?

posted 12 years ago by sean_pak215
4 replies | jump to latest

I find this to be tied with my ultimate favorite scripts (The Rules of the Game and All About Eve rounding out the top spot). It's so witty, poetic, philosophical and natural-yet-theatrical (which is usually my problem with self-consciously wordy scripts like Network or Juno; they tend to sound too theatrical and "fake" for my liking, but somehow All About Eve and Children of Paradise pull it off while not sounding very naturalistic either).

And at the heart of it, this is the sole reason the movie remains so watchable for me. When I think about it, the plot itself is a bit contrived and soap-opera-ish. So why does it keep my attention for those 3 hours? Because I can just listen to and read that beautiful dialogue. It's like a poem. It isn't so much about content as style and form.

Is this anybody else's favorite script? How does it rank for you? What other movies match or beat it?

By the way, I just watched a screening of the new restoration today. It was ravishing. Looked like it could've been filmed yesterday.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Ithilfaen 11 years ago

Interesting that you are mentioning All About Eve. I had similar thoughts. While being very different, in situations, characters, direction etc... they do have a similar tone, oscillating between sarcasm, wit, poetry and a deeper reflection on human nature and emotions.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

[–] StinkusDelicioso 8 years ago

It's hard for me to decide whether it is the best screenplay ever, but it surely is remarkable! I completely agree with your comments. Prévert was a true poet, I think I should maybe check out some other movies he wrote the script for.

[–] prplayer 8 years ago

the script here was amazing, it's up there with the best

so many movies, so little time