Le Bonheur

Le Bonheur, a French classic film from 1965 stuffed with intense emotions, exquisite aesthetics, and three-dimensional characters, is a beautiful and yet controversial exploration of the human condition. Directed by Agnès Varda, one of the leading lights of the French New Wave, and featuring Jean-Claude Drouot, Marie-France Boyer, and Marcelle Faure-Bertin, Le Bonheur's storyline contemplates on the weighty subjects of love, morality, family, and happiness.

The film's title, "Le Bonheur," translates as "Happiness" in English, setting the tone for an exploration of monthly human passions and how they are reflected in our relationships. Embodying French New Wave cinema, the movie delves into the 'slice of life' territory, weaving a compelling narrative around it.

In the center of the film stands François, superbly portrayed by Jean-Claude Drouot, a young, vibrant, and amiable carpenter living an idyllic life. His happiness comes from a contented family life, a loving wife Thérèse (Marie-France Boyer), and their two adorable children. But the seamless portrayal of bliss takes an unforeseen turn when François's path crosses with Émilie, a captivating post office employee, played by Marcelle Faure-Bertin. Their relationship evolves significantly and adds another dimension to the narrative.

The film not only delineates the ever-complex thoughts and feelings of the lead characters but also scrutinizes the paradigms of wedded bliss, clandestine love, and personal desires. The movie is a thought-provoking work of intermingling moral and ethical contradictions that stir the audience's mind. It incites viewers to question their understanding of love, loyalty, happiness, and the cost one is willing to pay to achieve them.

Varda's expert direction and storytelling approach excel in mirroring the complexities of human desires in a tasteful and sophisticated manner. She adds an intangible depth to the characters and their interactions by integrating smart dialogues, lengthened takes, and symbolic visuals. Further enhanced by the excellent performances by Drouot, Boyer, and Faure-Bertin, the film becomes the perfect tapestry to showcase the swirling emotions and tensions that arise from their actions.

Le Bonheur uses inventive cinematographic techniques that were ahead of its time. The immense use of color in the film matches almost to the extreme, bordering on the hyper-real at times. Coupled with Varda's remarkable framing and observant eye for detail, each scene is artistically filmed with aesthetically pleasing compositions. Particularly notable is the way the seasonal changes captured in the French countryside correspond to the sentiments of the characters - this cyclical nature of the settings serves as a metaphor for the human condition around happiness and its transient state. The high emphasis placed on the filmmakers' use of color and natural lighting adds another layer to the viewing experience.

The film's score, mostly composed of Mozart’s music, adds an intriguing layer to the drama. The lilting tunes periodically usher in to underpin the narrative's thematic arcs, mirroring the characters' emotions and situations with an uncanny resemblance.

Despite its serene surface, the movie has a throbbing undercurrent of societal norms, personal beliefs, and profound questions about human nature. As the story unfolds, the viewer is given a glimpse into Varda's conceptual landscape, where happiness is not necessarily a state attained by following societal norms but perhaps by seeking what we truly desire.

Moreover, the lead actor Jean-Claude Drouot's real-life wife and children playing his film family adds a touch of realism, blurring the lines between the reel and real-life. This unique casting choice brings a distinct authenticity to the portrayal of familial bliss.

Le Bonheur examines the paradoxes of human emotions through the exploration of love, fidelity, and happiness. Agnès Varda, the director, has skillfully nurtured each character, leading to the exposure of their emotional layers slowly over the course of the film. It may not be a light-hearted watch and might leave the viewer with some lingering questions. However, its nuanced direction, spectacular performances, and thought-provoking narrative make it a movie that cannot be easily forgotten. The film's ending might stir a multitude of opinions, which only proves the movie's impact and Varda's talent as a phenomenal filmmaker.

Overall, Le Bonheur is an intense cinematic experience that transcends time and challenges the viewer with its amalgamation of emotional depth, aesthetic beauty, and philosophical insight. It is a must-watch for those interested in exploring classic French cinema and understanding human emotions at their raw, uncut best.