Review of Lola Montès (1955) by Adam S — 02 Mar 2010

Criterion's new Blu-ray of this famous, final film by Max Ophuls is indeed as glorious as you thought it would be, with a stunning transfer that beautifully realizes (probably for the first time ever) Ophuls' brilliant use of color, while his trademark long takes and dizzying camera moves fill the Cinemascope frame with amazing cinematic theatrics.

Forget that Lola, the dancer and courtesan who has her story told in flashbacks during a melodramatic circus routine, remains an unattainable figure, and Martine Carol, though appropriately beautiful, is no Danielle Darrieux, this is all about Ophuls and his duty as flamboyant ringmaster; as always he pulls it off with a flourish, and it's the most lavish thing he ever made.