Bourrasque: A stormy, strange relic

Should you watch Bourrasque? If you like your cinema with a heavy side of black-and-white melodrama and don't mind a bit of static, then sure. It's definitely not for folks who need a movie to move at a breakneck speed. If you prefer the crisp, clean pacing of something like Best of Enemies, you might find yourself checking your watch before the first act finishes.

The whole thing feels a bit trapped. It’s got that stagey quality where you can almost see the floorboards creaking. Pierre Alcover is doing a lot of heavy lifting here, and sometimes you can see him thinking about his next line, which is strangely endearing.

The mood is the thing

The lighthouse setting is obviously trying to do a lot of work. There are these wide shots of the waves crashing against the rocks that honestly feel like they go on for an eternity. I think at one point, the camera just gave up and decided to watch the tide for a solid minute. It was hypnotic, actually.

There's a specific moment where the wind is howling outside, and the characters are just staring at each other in this intense, uncomfortable silence. It felt like they were waiting for someone to deliver a pizza, not a life-altering confession. It’s so awkward that it actually becomes kind of gripping.

• The lighting in the interior scenes is surprisingly moody.
• Jacques Grétillat has a mustache that deserves its own credit.
• The dialogue is stilted, but maybe that's just the 1930s talking.

I couldn't help but compare the general vibe to something like The Lure of the Bush, though this has much less dirt and many more suits. It lacks that raw, outdoorsy energy. Instead, it feels like a fever dream happening inside a damp coastal house.

Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it a perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon when you’re bored of modern stuff? Absolutely. The performances are a little uneven, sure. But there’s a flicker of something real in the way the actors look at each other, like they’re all just trying to keep the boat from sinking. 🌊

The ending hits you like a soft thud. It’s not explosive. It just sort of… ends. I liked that, actually. Not everything needs a big wrap-up.