Widely acknowledged as the first film of the French New Wave, "Le Beau Serge" also marked the debut of director Claude Chabrol, like many of the New Wave filmmakers, a former critic at the magazine Cahiers Du Cinema. When Francois returns from Paris to his small hometown he finds the place much the same but the people changed, and none more so than his old friend Serge. An alcoholic with a troubled marriage, Serge has become disillusioned with life and the reappearance of this figure from his past fills him with shame. Francois is determinded to help despite warnings that he will do more harm than good. Raising themes that would be developed throughout his career. Chabrol_s debut is a moving story of friendship and loyalty set against a wonderful drawn backdrop of rural life. "A beautifully observed picture of provincial life"