Review of Happiness (1965) by Al M — 22 Mar 2010
You have to be careful while watching this film, so that you don't miss the subtle ironies: for example, after Therèse asks her husband whether he prefers Brigitte Bardot or Jeanne Moreau, he says he's only interested in her; but the next thing we see is his locker at work, covered with cut-out images of both stars.
Le Bonheur may seem like it's all sunflowers and sunlight, but the subtext is cynical. The more beautiful the images, the more you know the happiness they depict is fake. It's only a game of the mind.
Add the director's constant game of colors and signs, and you have a very smart essay by Varda, on human nature, on how we ignore the meaning of our actions and their consequences, in order to feel superficially, and momentarily, happy.
This review of Happiness (1965) was written by Al M on 22 Mar 2010.
Happiness has generally received very positive reviews.
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