Review of Murmur of the Heart (1971) by Andy C — 23 May 2010

A charming coming-of-age comedy set in France at the time of the Indo-China War about a 14 year old boy who enjoys listening to jazz especially those by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. He lives with his two very naughty older brothers, his mother who is much younger than his father. The boy goes around stealing jazz records, which are often heard throughout the film in the soundtrack, and seeking out to fulfill his sexual fantasies. His brothers take him to a brothel where he has his first sexual encounter but is humorously interrupted by his drunken brothers. When their father is away they like to smoke cigars, drink wine and invite many guests of their own age for some casual debauchery. The boy is eventually diagnosed with a heart murmur and is taken to a sanatorium where he is treated to conventional spas and such. It is during this time though that he learns the most in his childhood and finally gets his sexual fantasy fulfilled, although to a very unlikely person.

Murmur Of the Heart is certainly one of Louis Malle's best films and one of the best examples of a perfectly handled coming-of-age story. The child actors such as the protagonist and his brothers deliver real performances of how adolescent males tend to be. The mother is also portrayed very well. Malle handles what many would find to be shocking subject matter the utmost care and delivers a truly great coming-of-age tale that all should seek out to view. Highly recommended. 10/10.