A washerwoman's struggle against poverty, addiction, and social rivalry in 19th century Paris.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Abandonment and New Beginnings
Domestic Bliss and Hidden Cracks
Rivalry and Downward Spiral
Collapse and Despair
An adaptation of Émile Zola’s 1877 masterpiece L’assommoir, the film is an uncompromising depiction of a lowly laundress’s struggles to deal with an alcoholic husband while running her own business.
Directed by
René Clément
Key Cast
Maria Schell — Gervaise Macquart Coupeau, une blanchisseuse douce et courageuse
François Périer — Henri Coupeau - le second compagnon de Gervaise, un ouvrier zingueur
Jany Holt — Mme Lorilleux - la soeur revêche de Coupeau
