When discussing Perreault's fairy tales, Peau d'âne (sorry, I can't call it Donkey Skin, that's just awful) is hardly ever mentioned. In the French-speaking world, the name is at least vaguely familiar. I've never heard anyone reference it in the English-speaking world. Maybe it's the incest element? Though essentially a take on Cinderella, yes, there is that weird thing about the Princess trying to get out of marrying her own father. But that's just part of the insanity in the musical film version by Cherbourg/Rochefort alumni Jacques Demy, Michel Legrand and Catherine Deneuve. It seems proper that after pushing Technicolor limits of what was in fashion at the time, they would mount a full-on, unapologetic fairy tale, with color-coded horses, beautiful costumes, and magical anachronisms. Oh, and Deneuve feeding pigs in a donkey costume. Bonkers, gorgeous, funny, psychological, and Legrand writes some nice music too. My favorite song is without a doubt the Love Cake recipe, but there's also a fun ensemble piece about how Peau d'âne is disgusting, which feels like inspiration for Disney's Beauty and the Beast village tune.

Un film magnifique, je recommende vivement. La mise en scène, les décors et les costumes sont très originaux.

Beautiful to look at but not much excitement here.