Le Souffle au Coeur (1971)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 118 minuten
Alternative titles: Murmur of the Heart / Dearest Love / Hartkloppingen
Country:
France / Italy / West Germany
Directed by: Louis Malle
Stars: Lea Massari, Benoît Ferreux and Daniel Gélin
IMDb score:
7,5 (11.804)
Releasedate: 27 April 1971
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Le Souffle au Coeur plot
"A souffle of a movie!"
Laurent, fifteen, is the youngest son of Chevalier and Clara and grew up in Dijon in the 1950s. Unlike his older brothers, he is a sensitive and intelligent boy. Due to his failing health, he is sent to a spa in Morvan. His mother accompanies him and he becomes her confidant. A close bond develops between them.
Actors and actresses
Clara Chevalier
Laurent Chevalier
Charles Chevalier
Father Henri
Augusta
Freda
Thomas
Marc
Aunt Claudine
Uncle Leonce
Reviews & comments
kos
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- 46854 messages
- 8976 votes
Heh,
nice contrary film. Very idiosyncratic.
I don't know yet whether everything was a complete success, I'll just have to let it sink in for a few days.
I have the idea that there is a lot flying by in this film. I read all kinds of things above like 'coming of age film', Oedipus, time period 50s etc.
To me, this is primarily anarchism, angry young men and a desire for total freedom.
The family is 'dysfunctional' in that sense because everyone seems to give a shit about everything.. no one is corrected (apart from some half-hearted attempts by a servant) and I was a bit afraid that it would lead to something Clockwork Orange-esque. That was almost inevitable.
People are going further and further in shocking each other.
But if you look at all the threads, the 3 sons and their rebellious nature, the mother and her amorous issues, the free jazz of Charlie Parker, even the Indochine stuff that sometimes seems far-fetched: first and foremost it is about a struggle for freedom at all costs.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Sir Djuke
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- 388 messages
- 1110 votes
After Louis Malle had already been charged with pornography in America in 1958 with 'Les Amants', he again pushes the moral boundaries in 'La Souffle Au Coeur'. The concept of MILF is interpreted very literally by the teenage son, but it must be said: it never gets dirty. Malle is too skilled a professional for that and 'Le Souffle Au Coeur' is therefore one of the better post-nouvelle vague French films of the seventies.
Translated from Dutch · View original
El Loco
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- 1421 messages
- 2643 votes
Very good Malle
After Au Revoir les Enfants and Ascenseur pour l'Échafaud this is another very good Malle that I get to see. I don't know exactly what Malle's style is, because this is something completely different from the films mentioned. Also My Dinner with Andre, which I found less convincing, is a completely different kind of film.
The first part of the film is very fun to follow. Laurent's budding puberty and everything that goes with it, provides some cool scenes. Collecting money for the wounded soldiers, stealing a record, the pranks he plays on his brothers, teasing the housekeepers, the scene in the club,... It's all very fun to follow.
When Laurent goes to the spa with his mother, the tone of the film changes. Laurent is still discovering his puberty and sets his sights on 2 girls, but it all becomes a bit more serious. When Laurent and his mother have a room to themselves, you feel that there is a very strong attraction between them. The incest scene may be controversial, but I didn't feel like it was made to shock. It fits in with the whole of the film in which Laurent discovers his sexuality and Clara no longer has intimacy in her marriage. Also the stylish and 'good' way in which Malle portrays it, makes sure that it certainly doesn't come across as vulgar.
Another beautiful film by Malle and just like with Ascenseur pour l'Échafaud there is again a wonderful jazz soundtrack that is a nice added value.
4*
Translated from Dutch · View original
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