La sonnette d'alarme: A Quiet French Film About Gout and Unsettling Affection

If you're in the mood for a quiet afternoon with an old French film, one that really takes its sweet time, then La sonnette d'alarme might just be your speed. It's definitely not for folks who need a lot of plot twists or quick action; this one settles in like a long, thoughtful sigh. But if you appreciate character studies from a bygone era, you might find something charming, if a bit peculiar, here.

Bobby, played by Adrien Le Gallo, is introduced as a man who enjoys the finer things, and maybe a few too many of them. His gout attack isn't just a medical event; it's practically a character in itself, forcing him to halt his rather spirited existence. You feel that sudden, uncomfortable stillness his life kinda gets.

His old routines, the little pleasures, they're all put on hold. There's this one shot of his study, usually bustling with people, now just quiet, with a stack of unopened letters on his desk. It really sells the abruptness of his new, forced solitude. You almost feel the dust settling.

Then enters Genevieve, Josette Day, his niece, fresh from being left by her husband. Her arrival shifts the whole household's rhythm, bringing a different kind of quiet energy. She’s vulnerable, but there's a certain strength in her stillness too, a quiet resilience that catches your eye.

The film doesn't rush into Bobby’s feelings for Genevieve. It builds it, slow-like, almost imperceptibly at first. You see it in the way he watches her from across a room, or how he subtly changes his routine to be near her. It's less about grand pronouncements, more lingering glances and unspoken thoughts. It's all quite understated, sometimes to a fault.

There's a scene, I think it's in the garden, where Bobby just watches Genevieve reading. It's a simple shot, but it goes on for what feels like a minute. You really feel him processing something, maybe something he shouldn't be. It’s a bit of a slow burn, this whole thing, not like The Delicious Little Devil, where everything is out in the open, boisterous and quick.

Adrien Le Gallo as Bobby carries much of this internal struggle. You see the frustration of his physical ailment, sure, but also the dawning realization of these new, complicated feelings. He conveys a lot with just a look, a slight shift in posture. It’s pretty compelling stuff.

The Paris of this film isn't the bustling city we often see. It feels more intimate, almost confined to Bobby's beautiful, slightly stuffy home. The world outside barely intrudes, which makes his personal drama feel even more central. It’s a very contained little world.

Some of the supporting characters flit in and out, adding brief touches of color without ever really stealing the show. Marcel Vidal, for instance, has a few moments where he brings a nice, understated humor. His presence feels like a light counterpoint to Bobby's heavier internal struggle, a little bit of air.

The title, "The Alarm Bell," is interesting. Is it the gout that's the alarm bell? Or is it Genevieve’s presence, shaking up Bobby’s complacent view of himself? It makes you think about what really sets off a change in a person's life. Maybe it's not always a loud clang, but a softer, insistent hum. It just keeps on ringing, very quietly.

One little thing: there's this specific teacup Bobby uses in a few scenes. It's a small detail, but it became quite memorable, almost like a silent companion to his thoughts. It’s the kind of tiny consistency that makes a film feel lived-in. I kept noticing it, and wondering if it had a story.

The film isn't perfect, of course. There are moments where the pacing drags a bit, even for a slow film. A couple of the conversations feel like they could have been trimmed without losing much impact. It sometimes feels like it's trying too hard to be profoundly quiet, if that makes sense, which can be a bit much.

But then a moment will hit, like when Bobby tries to explain something to Genevieve, and the words just won't come out right. That hesitation, that awkwardness, felt incredibly real. It's those little cracks of humanity that make you stick with it. You almost want to tell him, "just say it!"

So, if you're curious about a love story that's less about grand romance and more about internal wrestling, with a dash of old Parisian charm, give La sonnette d'alarme a look. Just be ready to settle in and let it wash over you. It's a quiet film, but one that leaves a gentle echo. 🔔