“Emotions are messy” is the takeaway for Durga Chew-Bose’s Bonjour Tristesse, an adaptation of Françoise Sagan’s 1954 novel of the same name and a remake of the 1958 film starring Jean Seberg. Cécile (Lily McInerny), a teenage student from Paris, her widowed father Raymond (Claes Bang), and his girlfriend Elsa are all vacationing at Raymond’s secluded villa on the French Riviera. Cécile is enjoying herself, having a summer romance with the handsome Cyril (Aliocha Schneider) and spending time with her father and Elsa (Nailia Harzoune), whom she adores. Their gaiety ends with the sudden arrival of Anne (Chloë Sevigny), the best friend of Cécile’s late mother’s. A stark contrast to Raymond’s more waffly, free-spirited parenting style, Anne, who is practical, intelligent, and nurturing, immediately acts like a mother figure to Cécile, making her breakfast, needling her about schoolwork, and discouraging her from seeing Cyril. Moreover, Anne and Raymond quickly become close and decide to marry, sending Elsa packing. This proverbial bucket of cold water on her fun prompts Cécile to take drastic measures to split Anne and Raymond up and restore her status quo, but the results of her plan lead to a quiet but destructive climax.
With ceramic tiles as backgrounds for the opening titles, viewers are immediately shown that this will be an artistically stunning film. Audibly, it’s evident in the selection of retro and French songs, the sparse and thoughtfully placed scoring, and the pleasing ASMR of playing cards shuffling that shifts to the rustle of a vinyl pulled from its slipcase. From a cinematography standpoint, framing acts as its own character, with the arrangement of Anne, Elsa, and Cécile each eating an apple, the angles of shots overhead or through a boat doorway. Visually, the film’s beauty also lies in the presentation of foods like butter on toast, a bowl citrus slices, in the brown cliffs contrasting with the clear blue sky, and the domestic-driven shots of vintage playing cards on a mosaic table, a paperback left open, a phone charging, and bathing suits drying on chairs.
Bonjour Tristesse is undeniably a summer film. It’s philosophical, featuring conversations about things as mundane as dandelion seeds because, away from daily doldrums and routines, life has slowed way down and your mind is free to wander and have existential dialogues. The film is also great at capturing little moments of realness: the fumbling of a necklace clasp, the detangling of headphone cords, and shadows dancing on rocks and shells on a window sill. While the acting is subtle and effective, the auditory and visual delights of the film take center stage, carrying you away to a sunny and mellow destination. 4 stars, would recommend.
Which library audiences would appreciate this summer drama?
Adult viewers would enjoy this escapist film whether or not they’re planning a summer holiday to the seaside. The French Riviera setting has the unending beauty and mellow atmosphere a summer getaway should have. The imagery of simple foods and scenes of conversations and laughter around the dinner table also match the light and laid-back feel of the season. Additionally, Bonjour Tristesse makes a perfect pairing for either a comparison with the original film version or a book club discussion of the novel, perhaps during the winter months when readers are seeking relief from the cold.
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