Bonjour Tristesse

It's a family relationship drama, with unanticipated consequences of hasty decisions set in summer 2024 in a resort in southern France. Cécile (Lily McInerny) is the teenage daughter of Raymond (Claes Bang). Her mother died when Cécile was young. Their vacation includes Elsa (Naïlia Harzoune), a dancer who is Raymond's latest partner. Cécile is close to Cyril (Aliocha Schneider), a neighboring summer vacationer, who is with his mother Nathalie (Nathalie Richard). Things are going smoothly until Anne (Chloë Sevigny), an old friend of Raymond and Cécile's mother, joins them. The dynamics of the vacation change because of some decisions made by Raymond and Cécile.

"Bonjour Tristesse" is a pretty movie, bogged down by a slow pace and inefficient editing of a story with minimal energy. Lily McInerny and Chloë Sevigny do well with rather strait-jacketed roles. The ending seems to dribble off into nothing. The scenery is great, with some good camera work.

This is a lovely film about relationships, in this case, somewhat complex relationships. Very well written, shot and performed. Gauzy romantic scenery in the South coast of France. Interesting character studies. All the actors do a great job, but Chloe Sévigny takes the most challenging role and executes it superbly, walking the line between likeable and not, loving and not, caring and not.

The plot line is fairly straightforward. It has a little twist that stretches things a tad, but is still believable and is certainly interesting and keeps our interest.

Interesting dialogue and captivating score.

I would have rated this film higher if the director showed the audience what Anne sees. It's a key moment and we are left to rely only on the sound of voices of the people she sees.

Cinematography by Maximilian Pittner captures the southern France beauty of the rough coastal cliffs. The costume design by Miyako Bellizzi makes everyone look cool.

However, the story needed something more sensational or shocking to cause the twist. The scheming happens too subtly. Too abruptly we have changes in the relationships. Cécile's reaction is more boredom than sadness or jealousy. I was fascinated with watching actress Lily McInerny, who plays Cécile, but never sensed the rush of adrenaline from her character who was plotting the twist.

I give this two stars only for the beautiful cinematography and soundtrack.

The rest sounds like characters from one of those stupid American comedies attempting French sophistication. All which comes out is this eternally tired entitled tone which permeates the aforementioned films. Like Britney Spears reading Francoise Sagan.

I'm not even much of a fan of French cinema, therefore this isn't some jealous defence, but simply conveying the pain of having gone through this. The ending is particularly clumsy, missing the opportunity for at least some mystique.

Chloe Sevigny is one of the worst actors ever.

Preminger's film is not a masterpiece, but it's very entertaining. This movie is dour and slow. Claes Bang and Chloe Sevigne usually sparkle; here they are just dull (at least for the first hour and a half).

In the first version, there was a weird frisson between David Niven and Jean Seberg that lent a hint of Greek tragedy to the proceedings. The pair in the new version look like they actually are at a Father Daughter Dinner Dance.

Dad's girlfriend in #1 was adorable teenager Mylene Dumengeot (sp?), here she is a far more appropriate mature woman. So a major plot motive is removed.

Points for lots of beautiful shots of people's hand doing things.