When Renoir moved away from the location photography the Cahiers critics had so admired in his early films and began working almost exclusively in the studio, Cahiers stayed with him. French Cancan is one of the most engaging achievements from this period because the studio feels entirely appropriate to the film's theme: the dance between theater and life. Jean Gabin plays the impresario who nurtures a troupe of entertainers-choreographing their romancing as much as their dancing-to revive the cancan. In the opening night performance of the cancan, with its intermingling of audience and performers, the themes and aspirations of the film reach a euphoric fulfillment. As Eric Rohmer has noted, when Gabin makes a plea for his craft, he makes "a plea for Renoir." Like Gabin's character, Renoir was generous to talented amateurs and had become a kind of father figure to the New Wave (Rivette even worked as an assistant on this film). The film likewise recognizes the inherent generosity of the medium itself, freely welcoming contributions from diverse art forms, including music, dance, and the Impressionist vision of Renoir père. -Tom Kemper