No Pockets in a Shroud (1974)

Having seen "Kill the Ref" years ago, I was interested to see more of Mocky's work, and bought subtitled DVDs of this, "Solo" and "L'Albatros." . I should have heeded the review by dbdumonteil, who knows more about French cinema than I ever will. He called "No Pockets" a botched job, and he's right.

Starting in 1959, Mocky has directed well over 60 features, plus shorts, documentaries and TV work. On this evidence he's put quantity above quality. It's hard to see how he got the budget to assemble such an excellent cast of actors (the women are relatively weak) but no surprise that his recent films feature largely-unknown "stars."

The actresses, particularly the excessively made-up Myriam Mezieres, are made to look rather unattractive, perhaps to emphasise the good looks of Mocky as our heroic reporter. Needless to say they're all crazy about him. Mocky's narcissism, the excessive length and some lousy dialogue (Alaim Mory is no Michel Audiard) make the whole thing an endurance test.