Diary of a Chambermaid
Seen it?1964 | 97 min | Drama, Comedy
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (87% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 37 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1964: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Celestine has a new job as a chambermaid for the quirky M. Monteil, his wife and her father. When the father dies, Celestine decides to quit her job and leave, but when a young girl is raped and murdered, Celestine believes that the Monteils' groundskeeper, Joseph, is guilty, and stays on in order to prove it. She uses her sexuality and the promise of marriage to get Joseph to confess -- but things do not go as planned.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
87% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$20K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 18K people sought it out in the past year
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Cast & crew
Directed by Luis Buñuel
- Jeanne MoreauCéléstine
- Georges GéretJoseph
- Michel PiccoliMonsieur Monteil
- Françoise LugagneMadame Monteil
- Jean OzenneMonsieur Rabour
- Daniel IvernelCaptain Mauger
- Bernard MussonLe sacristain
- Gilberte GéniatRose
- Jean-Claude CarrièreLe curé
- MuniMarianne