Nana (1926) review

Temptress Nana (Catherine Hessling, Jean's first wife) drives numerous men to lust after her (and some to kill themselves because of her) - she's sexual and free-wheeling and conniving, which must make guys go bonkers - though her manipulative attitude (and lack of actual theatrical talent) leads to her own downfall. As one of Renoir's earliest works, it lacks the refinement of his best films - it's good but tends to dawdle in parts, telegraphing very early on the eventual ruin of its inhabitants. Hessling's performance is entirely over-the-top and visually unappealing (it's like Lillian Gish in overdrive - she has a whole repertoire of gawky expressions like squinting and puckering her lips), though the experienced supporting cast (including future director Claude Autant-Lara) is skilled at appearing smitten.