La route heureuse: City Girl vs. The Cow Pasture

Is it worth your time?

If you like old French films where people argue in kitchens while looking very fancy, sure. If you get hives thinking about domestic drama or stubborn in-laws, skip it. It’s for the folks who want a bit of 1930s sass rather than a masterpiece.

Suzanne is essentially a fish out of water, if the fish hated the water and preferred a nice cafe in Paris. Edwige Feuillère plays her with this *particular* kind of annoyance that feels like she’s permanently sniffing something bad.

The farm setting is supposed to be the big draw, I guess. But honestly, it looks like a place where everyone is just waiting for a reason to snap. It reminded me a bit of the tension in The Tower of Lies, though much less gloomy and way more passive-aggressive.

The family dynamic

The in-laws are exactly who you expect them to be. They are rural, they are loud, and they treat Suzanne like she’s a decorative vase that doesn’t quite match the curtains. There’s a scene where they eat dinner that goes on for ages, and the clinking of the cutlery is louder than the actual talking.

It’s funny how movies like this try to make you care about the land. Suzanne doesn't care. I didn't care. We were just waiting for the drama to actually start.

Odd moments

• There is a cow that wanders past the window at the exact wrong moment during a serious monologue.
• The lighting in the farmhouse is weirdly bright, like they’re trying to sell you soap.
• Claude Dauphin looks like he’s having the worst time of his life, which, to be fair, he is.

It’s not as manic as Oh, Sister!, but it has that same feeling of people trapped in a room together. Sometimes the acting feels a bit stagey, like they’re worried the back row of the theater won’t hear them. But hey, it works for the mood.

I left the movie feeling like I needed a long walk in the city myself. It’s not great, but it’s definitely something. Maybe don't watch it if you're already fighting with your family. 🐄