by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Many of us had a vacation when we were young which left a lasting impression on our growth. Coming-of-age stories speak to every adult, as we have been through many of these types of experiences. Now, not all of us have gotten that experience in the South of France on the Riviera, but we can dream, can’t we? That is the experience that Cécile had in the classic French story of Bonjour Tristesse. Based on the novel by Françoise Sagan, this new adaptation comes in the shadow of earlier ones. But that doesn’t stop writer/director Durga Chew-Bose from tackling the story for her feature debut.
For Chew-Bose’s first effort, this is a gorgeous film. The setting goes a long way in pulling the audience in. The coastal beauty of this vacation locale makes the film so much more dynamic. Then you have crisp and striking filmmaking delivering a look with visual depth and richness in every frame. The effectiveness is in the details. Character interactions are blocked perfectly, allowing the actors to deliver what they need to. Visually engrossing… check.
The pacing can be a bit rocky, with some elements of the story feeling lesser than others. But the real conflict is with the father-daughter-new woman dynamic. While it is quite interesting at times, some scenes take away, instead of adding. This results in uneven pacing. Though, the film’s biggest struggle is a lack of real fire or emotion. The visuals are great, but everything is at too much of a distance, instead of getting the audience caught up in the story’s lust.
This comes as a result of the script not being timely. This source material came out over 50 years ago, and may have felt fresher at the time. There are certainly been films that have told similar stories effectively, but this latest approach to it just isn’t fresh.
For those who have parents looking for a connection with someone new, Bonjour Tristesse speaks about that experience. Cécile’s father, Raymond (Claes Bang), begins to develop a romantic connection to her late mother’s enigmatic friend, Anne (Chloë Sevigny). Raymond is already dabbling in an affair with Elsa (Nailia Harzoune), a much younger woman, yet Anne quickly pushes her out of the equation. There are other threads, like Cécile’s (Lily McInerny) own romantic escapades, but they’re significantly less notworthy than what is going on between Raymond, Elsa, Anne, and Cécile.
Cécile is a strong, intelligent young woman surrounded by other intelligent individuals like her father and Anne. The film gives a bit more of an intellectual feel than you might expect from a spicy tale like this. There is not a lot from a narrative or thematic standpoint that is new and refreshing, but enough works along the way, even as the tale is a bit too by-the-numbers.
Thankfully, this film is elevated by its cast. McInerny delivers an alluring and empathetic performance as Cécile. She is a gorgeous presence, which adds to the more romantic elements of Cécile’s story. But more importantly, she has the right presence to sell an intelligent young woman. She’s believable as one exploring through literature and human connections. Her malleable performance gives space for Cécile’s growth.
Bang was an inspired choice for Raymond, as he is the type of actor who can bring a level of class and strength to any character. But these are not through big choices. Bang has the subtlety and control of a charismatic and experienced actor. Yet Sevigny is the real key to this film, as Anne is the most compelling element of this conflict. She is alluring, strong, and mysterious. Sevigny is an excellent performer who has refined control of her performance. Harzoune is a fine addition as well. The warmth and emotion of the performance is a welcome addition during key character moments.
As a whole, Bonjour Tristesse never reaches the heights of the beloved novel or what Chew-Bose is looking to accomplish. There is an “It” factor missing. Not enough fire and spark when you have a story full of lust and romance. But Chew-Bose delivers a strong and striking visual experience, and the cast brings a lot to elevate a film lacking a fresh voice.
Rating: It Was Just Okay
Bonjour Tristesse is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Shane Conto, and follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd