Quand Tu Liras Cette Lettre (1953)

Set in the seaside town of Cannes, an amateur boxer (Philippe Lemaire) makes money by hustling, theft and as a gigolo. But three women, an ex-nun (Juliette Greco) and her young sister (Irene Galter) and a wealthy society woman (Yvonne Sanson) will complicate his life with tragic results for all involved. Directed by Jean Pierre Melville (LE SAMOURAI), this melodrama seems atypical of Melville's later work. It takes awhile for the film to pick up its rhythm which keeps us off balance as to what direction the film is heading. This being Melville, the relationships are complex and no one emerges unscathed. The film's male protagonist is a real bastard, the kind who knows he's catnip to the ladies and takes advantage of them. He's impossible to like though Melville makes an attempt to redeem him as much he can but how can one forgive a rapist and a murderer? Of course, Melville doesn't romanticize any of this and its dour outcome is as inevitable as ANNA KARENINA. With Daniel Cauchy as a bellhop, the only other male with a substantial role in the film and just as amoral as Lemaire.