Douce, in theme, is similar to Autant-Lara's Devil in the Flesh (Le Diable au corps), dealing sensitively with the problems of adolescent love, in this case the passion of a rich young girl (Odette Joyeux) for the manager of her family estate. Her dreamy romanticism is overpowered by a jealous governess (Madeleine Robinson) and a willful, aristocratic grandmother (Marguerite Moreno). "Although somewhat overshadowed by better known Autant-Lara films, Douce is one of his finest and most delicate works-relating to his other films much as Powell and Pressburger's A Canterbury Tale relate to theirs. Both its craftsmanship and Autant-Lara's affection for his subject are underlined by the incredible opening tracking shot over a miniature of old Paris. Released in the States by a small distributor, it made little headway and was soon lost and forgotten. If ever a French film deserves a reissue, this is it." (William K. Everson) Note: Our print is in French, with a written English synopsis provided.