what is your favorite moment?

[deleted]

Unlike most people I really disliked this long-winded unsatisfying movie. However, there were a few poignant moments. The one that sticks in my mind is right at the end, when Baptiste's son is outside waiting for his mother - she was inside confronting Baptise and Garance - and Baptise ran outside chasing after Garance, completely ignoring his infant son. At that point, I thought Baptise was scum and didn't care what happened to him.

Well I hope this isn't too late to help with your thesis. Unlike the previous poster I feel this to be one of the most magnificent films ever made. Of the many memorable moments, the one that sticks out for me is the mime sequence where Baptiste portrays himself outside the ball, in the street. I found that especially poignant, as all his "performances" were- the one where Garance is a statue of a goddess, heedless of his worship- also a great one! So lovely how his art imitated his life, and how telling those sequences were, without words. That actor's performance was incredible, really those sequences were like time standing still. They should be remembered as some of the pinnacles of screen experiences in my opinion.

One more moment that stands out for me for some reason is when Baptiste is standing in the alley with Garance on that first night- "love is so easy"- I don't know why but I can't forget it.

there are not many people who answer. my oppinion:
the first time baptiste acts as a pantomime is charming because it shows the difference between the street life and the artist´s inner world.
also: the scene where baptiste goes out at night, meets the "blind" man and together they walk into the pub. every second is poetic.

I haven't seen this movie in at least ten years, so any moments I remember will indeed be memorable.
The first moment that sticks out for me is the image of Arletty sitting in the water holding a mirror in front of her face. I'm not sure why it sticks out for me.

Of course, the mime sequence is great. It helps that he's so good at it.

I love Baptiste meeting the blind man in the alley. And the moment when he kicks the bully out the window in the tavern is delightful, even if it's such a cliche by now. It's that Baptiste looks so delicate and pathetic up to this point that it seems like a vindication for the whole craft of mime.

I remember the scene where Baptiste throws a tantrum and whacks up Arletty's flowers.

I remember Frederick acting up during his scenes and getting fired. I remember him in his Othello make-up, pulling back the curtain to reveal Arletty and Baptiste.

I remember Natalie bringing her son, dressed in his pretty costume, to try and get Baptiste back.

And, of course, I remember the final scene with Arletty leaving in her carriage while Baptiste runs after, and all the revelers cavort.

oh

the scene where Garance puts on the sheet as she undresses, and Baptiste looks like he's so terribly in love with her he can't bear to be around her.

The moment towards the end in the theater box where Garance is talking about how her heart is an out of tune music box. then Baptiste junior comes in and tells how how happy their family is. but also how she is so beautiful and he'd like to marry someone like her when he grows up.

oh

the scene where Garance puts on the sheet as she undresses, and Baptiste looks like he's so terribly in love with her he can't bear to be around her.

The moment towards the end in the theater box where Garance is talking about how her heart is an out of tune music box. then Baptiste junior comes in and tells how how happy their family is. but also how she is so beautiful and he'd like to marry someone like her when he grows up.

I'd have to agree with delibeetle about the scene where Baptiste's son comes to Garance's theater box. When Garance touches his face, it's beautifully moving.

Also the moment when Lacenaire murders Count de Montray in front of the horrified Avril. Brilliant filmmaking here: Lacenaire stabs de Montray off-camera; all the audience sees is Avril, the murder being reflected in the look of terrified shock on his face. The effect is quite chilling.