Review of Quiet Days In Clichy

Introduction

Banned for more than thirty years, Quiet Days in Clichy is finally given a release. This soft-porn movie masquerading as an arthouse film concerns the lives of Carl and Joey in the free-love era. Adapted from an erotic novel by Henry Miller.

Video

The picture is pretty darn good for a film 33 years old at time of writing. The print is mostly unblemished, without any significant damage. There is a high level of detail and good contrast in the black-and-white frames.

Audio

The original mono soundtrack is a decent affair: clear sounding dialogue and soundtrack.

Features

Two interviews are included, along with a stills gallery and biographies. The first and longer interview is one with a Mr Barney Rosset, Henry Miller’s editor and publisher. The second is with Country Joe McDonald, songwriter for the film. Both are interesting viewing – or at least would be if the film interested me at all. There is something wrong when the interviews on a DVD are more compelling than the main feature itself…

Conclusion

I have to say that Quiet Days in Clichy could very well be the most shocking film you will ever see if you watch it as unprepared for it as I was. Expecting an arthouse affair of Claude Chabrol’s of the same name, I had to do a quick double-take when I saw numerous useages of the word ‘c***’ within the first five minutes. A warning: please do not watch this film if you are easily offended! In fact, do not watch this film at all even if you aren’t: the film is as offensive as that word can be. The acting is truly horrendous, and the plot non-existent. This is a shame as the director has some talent behind the camera, creating quite startling visuals with some tricks and lighting. But this is all in vain, as all we see are the tedious escapades of two very ugly men. There is far better soft porn out there, with better looking people, and I pray to God there will always be more worthwhile films too. Avoid.