Bonjour Tristesse Review: A Summer of European Love, Youth & Betrayal

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Currently, Chloë Sevigny is quite active in the independent film industry. Recently, MUBI released the quirky comedy titled “Magic Farm,” where Sevigny portrays a frustrated TV producer who becomes increasingly disoriented while working in Argentina. In addition to this, her upcoming project, “Bonjour Tristesse,” is a more dramatic film that finds Sevigny struggling to maintain her composure as she navigates a love triangle in Europe and reconnects with an old acquaintance, played by Claes Bang.

The Danish actor portrays an identical appearance and voice as he did in the 2017 film “The Square“, and his new character in “Bonjour Tristesse” bears a resemblance to a spiritual successor of his leading role in Ruben Östlund’s satirical movie. Both characters are charming womanizers who, with their carefree lifestyle, fill their schedules generously with money while being selfish. If you imagine what life would be like for the character from “The Square” if he had a daughter, then take a look at his latest film directed by Durga Chew-Bosev.

Introducing Lily McInerny

As a seasoned movie critic, allow me to share my insights on the captivating “Bonjour Tristesse,” a film adaptation of Françoise Sagan’s novel of the same name. While I have appreciated earlier screen versions dating back to 1958, featuring the iconic French New Wave actress Jean Seberg, who later graced us with her performance in the legendary “Breathless” (1960), this new adaptation showcases the promising talent of Lily McInerny as the complex young character, Cécile.

Among well-known stars such as Sevigny and Bang, it’s young McInerny who makes the film worth watching until the very end – not forgetting the stunning visuals sprinkled throughout. On another note, the 2024 adaptation of Bonjour Tristesse is a rather leisurely paced production that could potentially cause you to doze off in some sections.

In this lesson, we learn that “Tristesse” translates to “sadness” in French. You might wonder why a film titled “Bonjour Tristesse” doesn’t seem as cheerful given its beautiful beach setting. Instead, it may initially evoke thoughts of a romantic summer, but the movie actually portrays a different mood altogether.

Hold on there. When you find yourself idle with cash and time to spare, that’s when things can start getting tricky. And that’s essentially who Raymond (Bang) is, living the high life at the beginning of Act One – even his teenage daughter Cécile (Lily McInerny) and girlfriend Elsa (Nailia Harzoune) are part of it. It turns out Raymond is a widower, but he appears to have moved on from his grief as he spends his days filled with laughter with his companions. However, it seems that’s not enough for Raymond. He later reveals, serving as the story’s turning point for those unaware of the book or 1958 film, that he’s been secretly correspondencing with Anne (Sevigny), his late wife’s American friend, in recent months.

Es-tu triste maintenant?

In her adaptation of “Bonjour Tristesse,” Director Chew-Bosev has chosen to update the setting to modern times, thereby introducing an intriguing sense of modernity that introduces fresh layers of estrangement into this timeless story. Consequently, Raymond is subtly preparing for Anne’s arrival by sending emails. This seemingly ordinary action passes unnoticed as Raymond portrays his past relationship with Anne and his late wife as a trio of inseparable individuals, likened to three peas in a pod. However, one can’t help but wonder what complications may arise from this seemingly innocuous arrangement.

When we recognize it’s Sevigny playing Anne, we film enthusiasts are well-aware that the skilled actress is accustomed to portraying tough, straightforward female characters. So, if Raymond makes a move, there’s a chance Anne could give him a good talking-to and send him packing, right?

Consider it over again. It adds an intriguing contrast when betrayal unfolds against serene, almost idyllic settings in films. In the movie Bonjour Tristesse, the absence of a soundtrack intensifies certain beautiful yet tense scenes, such as Raymond growing too close to Anne while Elsa is oblivious. This creates a subtly nerve-wracking cinematic experience, generally speaking. However, the film spends an excessive amount of time showcasing the beautiful scenery between the crucial moments. But when young Cécile momentarily stops indulging in her flirtatious activities with her charming boyfriend Cyril (Aliocha Schneider), she becomes aware of Raymond’s deceit and attempts to stop it — a move that could lead to catastrophic outcomes.

A Classic Coming-of-Age Heroine in Modern Times

McInerny is an emerging talent who has made a mark in equally intense independent films such as “Palm Trees and Power Lines” (2022). In “Bonjour Tristesse”, she manages to outshine her co-stars, including heavyweights like Sevigny and Bang, with a predominantly powerful performance. This is quite an achievement, given the competitive nature of this coming-of-age story. Fortunately, McInerny delivers a convincing portrayal of Cécile, or else the film might have lost its foundation. Unfortunately, despite our fondness for Sevigny, her character Anne in this movie might not be as captivating as some of her recent standout performances, such as those in Netflix’s “Monsters”.

In a different reality, we might be taken aback by how Sevigny appears during her spectacular debut in ‘Bonjour Tristesse‘. For instance, let’s imagine a wardrobe transformation for Anne, as her striking beauty is often hidden beneath conservative, tightly wound scarves. This leaves us puzzled about why Raymond could suddenly fall captivated with Anne over his current enchanting girlfriend, Elsa. However, the film offers more than just breathtaking landscapes; it includes unexpected plot twists in the final act for those unaware of the storyline. Director Chew-Bosev also introduces some creative interpretations to this classic tale, making this remake a worthwhile endeavor instead of another redundant one.

From Greenwich Entertainment, Bonjour Tristesse will open in theaters May 2, 2025.

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2025-04-28 10:04