“A scintillating satire of the discrete charms of the French bourgeoisie under the Second Empire. Returning nearly thirty years later to Zola for his inspiration, Duvivier fashions a sardonic comedy that often whirs like a Georges Feydeau farce. The sterling cast is headed by Gérard Philipe as a young provincial on the make in Paris, and Danielle Darrieux as the owner of the drapery shop where he finds employment. Arguably Duvivier's last major artistic success” (Lenny Borger).