Le chemin du bonheur: A dusty, quiet detour

Is it worth your time?

If you have a thing for movies that smell like old film stock and don't care much for a breakneck pace, you’ll probably find something to like here. If you need explosions, sharp edits, or a plot that makes sense on a second watch, stay far away. This isn't a blockbuster; it's a mood piece that caught me off guard on a Tuesday night.

The whole thing feels a bit like wandering through a stranger's photo album. You’re not quite sure who everyone is at first, but after twenty minutes, you stop checking the cast list and just go with it. It’s got that specific, slightly grainy charm that reminds me of The Wreck, though with significantly less water.

The rhythm is... weird

There’s a scene near the middle where they just sit around a table for what feels like an eternity. No big revelation, no dramatic pivot. Just talking. I found myself looking at the wallpaper behind them, which is frankly more interesting than the dialogue in that moment.

It’s not bad, it’s just... domestic. It’s the kind of pacing that would drive a modern editor insane. You can tell they were trying to capture a 'real' conversation, and they succeeded, which is exactly why it’s so frustratingly slow. Sometimes you want the characters to just get on with it, you know? But then they look at each other, and you realize you’re already halfway through the scene anyway.

• Stéphane Pizella looks genuinely confused in half his shots.
• The background extras in the park scene look like they’re waiting for a bus that never comes.
• The lighting in the cafe scenes is surprisingly moody for a film this lighthearted.

I couldn't help but compare it to It Must Be Love. Both films have this earnest, slightly desperate need to be sweet. Only here, it lands a bit softer. There's an odd bit of business with a hat that happens twice. I’m still not sure if it was a recurring motif or just a continuity error they decided to roll with. I’m going to bet on the latter.

It’s not a masterpiece. It doesn't try to be. It’s just there, existing in its own little corner of the world. Maybe that’s enough. Maybe it isn't. Either way, I’m glad I watched it, even if I’ll probably forget the names of half the characters by tomorrow morning. 🎞️