The Life of Emile Zola: 1937

Before I began watching The Life of Emile Zola, I didn't know who Zola was or much about the film other than it was set in France and would include a courtroom scene. I wasn't even sure if Zola was a real person, but within the first minute of starting the film, I had my answer. The film begins with a text screen that explains that the story is loosely based on actual people and events. And a quick Google search results in several biographies of Zola (one from Encyclopedia Brittanica if you want a brief bio). Zola was a French author who wrote about the truth, exposing the ugly side of Paris and fighting for change in the government.

The film begins in 1862 with Zola as a young man, completely broke and sharing a room in a ramshackle hotel with his best friend. Both men are idealistic yet realistic: they see the misery of the working man and want to change Paris for the better. Zola believes more in the power of the truth than his friend, and after several years of struggle, he publishes a book about a French prostitute that becomes a best seller. It seems that almost overnight Zola has gained fame and success. In the years that follow, his books continue to be best sellers, and Zola becomes comfortably wealthy, living with his wife in a lovely home in Paris. As his fame increases, Zola becomes less spirited about finding the truth and more content with simply enjoying the benefits of success. Disappointed in him, his friend leaves Paris because of Zola's acceptance of life as it is. This act, combined with the French Army wrongly accusing an innocent man of treason, are what cause Zola's passion to reignite as he fights for the truth again.

With such as fascinating man as the center of the story, along with the military corruption, the plot is engaging. It reminded me of a John Grisham courtroom novel in the sense that the underdog is fighting for the truth, but the first half hour of the film reminded me more of Les Mis as Zola encounters the poverty and sadness in the streets of Paris. Zola is clearly motivated to make his world better, and as he says in the film, he would rather be remembered for his ideas than his person. He is truly selfless.

I enjoyed how the film transitioned from one situation to the next using visuals such as book covers and newspapers. When I looked up Zola, I found an image of the front page of the newspaper when Zola accused the Army of wrongfully punishing Dreyfus:

Fortunately, the one in the film was in English, but other than that change, the film used the same layout as this newspaper, adding to the authenticity of the film even if the opening of the film had a disclaimer about the historical accuracy. 

The Life of Emile Zola was an enjoyable and inspirational film about one man making  a difference (think Mr. Smith Goes to Washington moreso than It's a Wonderful Life). There are times when I felt angry with the corruption, but at least this time, Hollywood picked a story that shows good triumphing over evil. And in the time of the Great Depression and rising tensions in Europe, it was just what audiences needed. Combined with the cinematography and acting, it's no wonder the film earned the Oscar for Best Picture.