Narrated by an omniscient guide (Anton Walbrook), the movie's characters include the prostitute (Simone Signoret), who meets up with the soldier (Serge Reggiani), who later becomes involved with the maid (Simone Simon). The film's whole outlook on human desire is cynical, and yet the tone is breezily charming throughout. Here, love is bittersweet all round. Visually brilliant and innovatively told.