Le Bonheur (1965 film)
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Le Bonheur ("Happiness") is a 1965 French drama film directed by Agnès Varda. The film is associated with the French New Wave and won two awards at the 15th Berlin International Film Festival, including the Jury Grand Prix.
Plot
François, a young carpenter working for his uncle, lives a comfortable and happy life married to his wife Thérèse, with whom he has two seemingly perfect children, Pierrot and Gisou. Although finding abundant "le bonheur" (happiness) in his marriage and indisputably loving his wife and children, François covetously pursues an extended happiness through an affair with a woman called Émilie whom he meets on a business trip. Émilie knows of and skeptically asks François about his marriage; he soothes her with charming words and continues in his infidelity. Finding love with Émilie in the afternoon and with Thérèse at night, François’ wife questions him on a family day trip about the new level of happiness that he has experienced lately and which she has noticed. Finding himself unable to lie to his wife, François tells Thérèse the truth about his affair, but assures her that there is "more than enough happiness to go around, nothing has changed between them." Thérèse is found dead shortly after hearing the news of her husband’s infidelity, news that essentially shattered her very character, which is defined by her ability to feed her husband’s happiness. Left a widower, François responds with a short period of mourning followed by a continued pursuit of Émilie, who gladly becomes his wife and the mother of his children. In completing his family with Émilie as a replacement for his late wife Thérèse, François’ life embodies a spirit of "le bonheur" once again despite his break with morality.
Historical context
Le Bonheur was released prior to significant social unrest in of France which peaked in May 1968 and that threatened to overthrow the decade old Fifth Republic. This film contains many feminist elements that reflect the movements that were taking place among women during that time.
Cast
- Jean-Claude Drouot as François
- Claire Drouot as Thérèse
- Olivier Drouot as Pierrot
- Sandrine Drouot as Gisou
- Marie-France Boyer as Émilie Savignard
- Marcelle Faure-Bertin
- Manon Lanclos
- Sylvia Saurel
- Marc Eyraud
- Christian Riehl
- Paul Vecchiali as Paul
