Merci la vie

Merci la vie is a French satirical black comedy-drama film, released in 1991. This enchanting and absorbing movie is a testament to the creative genius of distinguished filmmaker Bertrand Blier. The film boasts an impressive cast that includes Charlotte Gainsbourg, Anouk Grinberg, and Michel Blanc. They deliver captivating performances that reveal the depths of their characters and their complexity.

Merci la vie, literally translated as "Thank God for Life", in a dreamlike narrative, weaves time, space, passion, and drama in a montage that forces the viewers to reflect on the very nature of existence. It explores themes of life, death, love, hate, joy, and sorrow, and especially the resilience and strength of women in the face of adversity.

The story revolves around Camille (Anouk Grinberg), a naive teenager who is drawn into the harsh and R-rated vicissitudes of life. She meets an older woman, Joëlle (Charlotte Gainsbourg), who takes her under her wing, so to speak. Joëlle is a more experienced, mature woman, who guides Camille through her coming of age. The film takes us on a journey captivatingly presented in a non-linear time frame, hurdling back and forth from present to past, intertwining the destinies of the two protagonists in a tangled and sometimes unexpected manner.

Michel Blanc as Gilbert brilliantly complements the performances of Grinberg and Gainsbourg. Acting as a former lover of Joëlle and now a television repairman, Blanc brings a sense of surreal humor mixed with the sadness of an erstwhile romantic.

The charm of Merci la vie lies in its unconventional storytelling style. Blier successfully merges fantasy and reality, dreams, and awakenings, creating a bizarre universe where viewers can almost touch the invisible thread connecting one's past and present. This innovative narrative dynamic keeps the viewers intrigued, as it helps to uncover the multiple layers of the characters' personalities, their triumphs, insecurities, and frailties.

Visually, Merci la vie is a feast for the eyes and a testament to Blier's unwavering commitment to the aesthetic. It beautifully captures the French landscape, ambient interiors, vibrant cityscapes, and the authentic feel of the early '90s. The cinematography offers stark contrasts in the visual representation of different times, enhancing its overall narrative structure.

The film also sees an exploration of feminine courage and resilience. Above all, this is a story about women, their vulnerability, and the strength that lies within their fragility. It presents a realistic portrayal of the society of the time and the gender attitudes prevalent, giving the viewers a complex, layered, and thought-provoking vision of misogyny and femininity.

Moreover, the film does not shy away from tackling issues like societal obsessions, the absurdity of taboos, and the consequences of living in a world dominated by television and consumerism. These subscribe to the notion that this is a world that lacks love and empathy leading to a distortion of reality and relationships.

The soundtrack, an integral part of the movie, weaves together the fabric of the characters' emotions. It resonates with the vivacious lulls and rises of the story, echoing the highs and lows experienced by Camille and Joëlle.

Often gut-wrenching, always mysterious, and occasionally outrageous, Merci la vie pushes the boundaries of mainstream cinema. The movie provides the audience an escape into a mesmerizing dreamworld that, despite its surreal elements, rings with raw human emotions.

In conclusion, Merci la vie is more than just a film; it's a striking and poetic piece of French cinema that combines an intricate narrative with strong performances. A cinematic experience that leaves the viewer pondering for a long time after the credits roll, this masterwork of Bertrand Blier is an artistic gem within the annals of French cinema. It demands multiple viewings to fully appreciate the depth and richness of the narrative, the caliber of acting, and the excellence in film-making.