Children of Paradise (1945)

Amid the pulsating heart of 1830s Paris, down the vibrant veins of the Boulevard du Crime, we find Garance, a captivating courtesan with an air of mystery. Accused of theft, her grace and elusive charm seem destined to wilt within the confines of injustice, until she is rescued by the silent hero, Baptiste, a mime who communicates love more profoundly in silence than most can with words. This simple act of kindness blossoms into an all-consuming love, immersing Baptiste in the sweet yet agonizing dance of unrequited affection, forever yearning for a woman who seems as unattainable as a fleeting shadow. In this theatrical world of jugglers, performers, and streetwalkers, Garance, our woman-about-town, becomes the object of desire for a host of men. The flamboyant thespian, Frédérick Lemaître, the cunning thief, Pierre-François Lacenaire, and the commanding but loveless Count, Édouard de Montray, all vie for her heart. Yet as the years of passion and intrigue flit by like pages of a play script, it seems that only one man truly echoes in the chambers of Garance's heart. Meanwhile, an additional layer of complexity is added by Nathalie, a fellow actress ensnared in her own unrequited love for the lovelorn Baptiste. As Garance is thrust into the protective, gilded cage of Count Édouard due to a crime she is innocently entwined in, both she and Baptiste are swept into separate, loveless affairs. In the grand finale, a sea of merrymakers provides the perfect backdrop to their reunion, the crowd filled with faces mirroring Baptiste's famous character. Amid the chaos, Garance and Baptiste reach out for each other, their struggle symbolizing the painful beauty of a love that has endured time, distance, and circumstance. Will they finally grasp the delicate rose of shared love, or will it remain a cruel mirage just beyond reach? The enthralling tale of Children of Paradise is a testament to the timeless dance of love and the heartbreaking beauty of unfulfilled desires.

Children of Paradise is a drama movie featuring Arletty and directed by Marcel Carné.

Children of Paradise is currently streaming on Criterion Channel and IndieFlix.

It is also possible to buy Children of Paradise on Amazon Video and Apple TV.