"A cheery greeting to melancholy": abruptly in the midst of last summer
Hanging out on a splendid pebbled beach of the French Riviera, Cécile, a spoiled 18-year-old, is living a carefree life with her father, Raymond, and his partner, Elsa. However, the peace is shattered when Anne, a friend of Cécile's late mother, moves in. Elsa announces her engagement with Raymond, which stirs jealousy in Cécile, prompting her to cook up a devious plan to break them apart. Based on the iconic novel by Françoise Sagan, Bonjour Tristesse stars Lily McInerny and Chloë Sevigny.
Before diving into the film, let's take a step back. Sagan was just 18 when this novel was published in 1954, and it was an instant hit. The success led to a Hollywood adaptation in 1958 directed by Otto Preminger. But the adaptation lacked the sensitivity required, dealing with the novel's themes. Durga Chew-Bose, however, delivers an exceptional interpretation void of such issues.
As the two actors were interviewed at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, Lily McInerny spoke about her excitement in bringings Sagan's beautiful words to life. She was particularly drawn to the nuanced portrayal of relationships between women, with sex and love serving as central themes. The relationships between Cécile, Anne, and Elsa were given special attention, and even their relationships with men were analyzed through the prism of feminine interactions.
Chloë Sevigny, who plays Anne, initially expressed doubts about the project. Her concern centered around the story of an older woman losing her man to a younger, more alluring woman. However, Sevigny eventually realized the story still holds relevance today, as it continues to unfold in real life. Furthermore, Sevigny was drawn to Anne's profession as a designer, as she too is a designer in addition to her acting career.
Moving away from the story's focus on women, the film's craftsmanship is nothing short of breathtaking. McInerny and Sevigny praised Durga's unique style and the magnificent locations they filmed in. The atmosphere on and off set created a sense of intimacy, making the shooting experience unforgettable for McInerny. The film's laudable visual approach is evident, with meticulous attention to detail and a measured pace that elevates Chew-Bose as a rising talent in the filmmaking world.
The film expertly navigates the dynamics between female characters through Cécile's POV, highlighting deeper complexities that give the story more depth. Claes Bang delivers a nuanced portrayal of Raymond as a loving and attentive father, while Naiolia Harzoune brings Elsa to life not just as a trophy but as a smart, beautiful young woman. This added complexity means viewers can empathize with Cécile's infatuation with her father, care about Elsa's fate, and grasp the impact of Cécile's actions. Both McInerny and Sevigny excel in their anticipated and antagonistic roles, even though their antagonism is essentially one-sided.
In the end, Bonjour Tristesse presents an engrossing exploration of adolescence, identity, and the fragility of human relationships. The film is a testament to Durga Chew-Bose's promising directorial debut, most importantly, capturing what Françoise Sagan set out to achieve with her timeless novel.
- The iconic novel by Françoise Sagan, titled 'Bonjour Tristesse', was first published when she was just 18 years old in 1954, making it an instant hit.
- Chloë Sevigny, who portrays Anne in the film adaptation of 'Bonjour Tristesse', initially expressed doubts about the project due to its storyline of an older woman losing her man to a younger, more alluring woman.
- Durga Chew-Bose's unique directing style in 'Bonjour Tristesse' creates a breathtaking visual approach, with meticulous attention to detail and a measured pace that showcases her as a rising talent in the filmmaking world.
- The movie expertly delves into the dynamics between female characters, offering a fascinating view of the deeper complexities that add more depth to the story.
- Filming locations for 'Bonjour Tristesse' were magnificent, and both lead actors, Lily McInerny and Chloë Sevigny, praised the intimacy on and off set, making the experience unforgettable for McInerny.
