Jean Renoir’s Madame Bovary is a bit of a slog

Is it worth your time?

If you like old French movies where people sit around in parlors looking sad about their life choices, you’ll probably get a kick out of this. If you need something with a plot that moves faster than a snail, stay far away. This isn't exactly Siren of the Tropics in terms of energy.

Valentine Tessier is doing a lot of heavy lifting here as Emma. She has this way of looking at her husband, Charles, like he’s a piece of furniture that hasn't been dusted in years. It’s pretty funny once you realize how much she genuinely despises his entire vibe.

The whole thing feels a little bit like a stage play that wandered onto a film set. Sometimes the actors are standing so still they look like statues. Maybe that's the point?

The Countryside Blues

The pacing is… well, it’s a choice. There are scenes that just kind of sit there, letting the silence hang until it feels like you're actually stuck in that boring town with Emma. I found myself counting the buttons on their coats during a particularly long conversation about nothing.

It reminded me a little bit of the dry energy in The Love Habit, but with way more existential dread and fewer laughs. It’s not a bad movie, but it definitely feels like it wants you to suffer a little bit along with the characters.

• The lighting is surprisingly moody for such a straightforward story.
• The mother-in-law is the ultimate villain, even if she’s just being annoying.
• The shopping scenes are surprisingly stressful.
• I still don't understand how Charles didn't notice the debt.

There’s a moment where Emma is just staring out a window, and the camera lingers for so long I started wondering if the projectionist fell asleep. It’s not pretentious, just… weirdly grounded in boredom. Real boredom, not movie boredom.

Anyway, if you’re looking for a light watch, skip this. If you want to feel a deep, aching sense of disappointment in human nature for about two hours, you’ve found your match. 🍷