The cinema "Le Bonheur" will be perceived in between people who are not familiar with Agnes Varda as a director or person and who are familiar with her and her works.
There are times when I choose to watch a film randomly without knowing the maker and eventually curiosity regarding the movie sometimes takes me to the way of the makers, sometimes does not.
Though I have heard often about Agnes Varda and how wonderful her film making is a lot from my dearest friend Amor a long time ago; however, circumstances pushed the thought of watching her cinema back to the background for years. Also, except the fact that she is one of his most favourite directors, I did know much and I liked the idea of finding out about the makers, be it for books, cinemas by walking the isle down. The fact that Amor admired her a lot was enough for her to be in my bucket list.
Anyway, I did watch her film "Cleo from 5 to 7" a long time ago, and honest confession would be, I really did not find it amusing enough or maybe was unable to comprehend properly on the first watch. After watching some of the best works, I would say, it was rather inevitable for most of the audience to feel the same way.
Which reminded me of some people saying they do not like French films because those films are very slow and boring to watch! Needless to mention, once you discover the fun in that, you will be enchanted in the end, wanting for more!
Having said that, let's talk about her film "Le Bonheur ''.
Framing
Truth to be told, I am not a cinephile neither understand art on deep level, which is why, unlike people who understands and appreciate a lot of things in a cinema aside from the story, plot, or acting, like framing, cinematography, sounds etc. However, some cinemas are actually created so well, that you sort of realize the instances and pros of slightest, subtle art engraved in it quite easily.
That is how I realized, the framing of this cinema is magnificent! And surprisingly, I realized that after I finished watching the film that "ahhh!! So, those are the things called "framing" that makes cinema enthusiasts go crazy about"!
Even if you do not understand the intention of the cinema makers hoping to rely through the cinema, you will be in awe realizing how amazing the framing was, at least making a cinema in that time of limited gadgets.
It is also said that due to the era where technological advancements did not exist much, when directors used to shoot films mostly indoors for that, she was reluctant to do so!
Story
Basically this story is focused on two women and about their part of life, when it starts to revolve around a man, the husband to one, and lover to another. A happy nuclear family of husband-wife, who are very much in love with each other, living a normal life with their 2 children in a suburban area of Paris.
Director starts the cinema by portraying very little and subtle things about "a family happiness" from the beginning, of how cliche yet full of life and love the family is. And until the second half, I was rather watching the film half-heartedly! And when, new spice started to add and the cinema took a new turn, I was in awe of every turn of the film until the end, mostly by its framing and a couple of monologues by the characters! I feel like I should not tell the story any further as it might be a spoiler, and you better watch it for the rest of the fun.
Initially, I thought that she (director) would actually be telling a story of a happy family, which is a happy film, a slice of life possibly!
Probing thoughts (with spoilers, Alert!!!)
Honestly, I am a little unsure about the reason for the death of Therese (the wife). While the cause of her death (a suicide or an accident) remained vague till the end, the intention behind the scene became conflicted too. Because it is a film of "The French new wave" era and the director is famous for being a strong feminist, the film was about the two women, whose wonderful life became a rather complete waste for the sake of a man of patriarchal society.
I sort of laughed on my own upon realizing how harmlessly she demonstrated the concept in the film as if someone asked her "How dare you make a film that mocks the patriarchy and depicts the deceiving rights of women".
It is often said that "She is what her films are".
All the contents are mine until mentioned otherwise. [Pictures are the screenshots from the film]