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Very Happy Alexander
Alexandre le bienheureux
1968 100 min France G 0+
★7.1
Comedy
Director: Yves Robert
Trailers
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Description
Alexandre, a young and honest farmer, is oppressed by an authoritarian wife, who makes him work like a dog. When she dies in a car crash, he decides to stay in bed, absolutely free and inactive. Just a dog is occupied to carry food and newspapers to him.
Starring
Philippe Noiret
Actor
Françoise Brion
Actor
Marlène Jobert
Actor
Key opinion
Alexandre le bienheureux is a charming, visually vibrant French comedy that uses a whimsical premise to critique the societal obsession with relentless labor. While appreciated for its lighthearted tone and scenic beauty, the film invites debate regarding its character motivations and the practical implications of its anti-work philosophy.
| Cinematography | The film utilizes a picturesque 1960s color palette and sun-drenched French countryside settings to create a visually pleasant, fairy-tale atmosphere. | |
| Theme | The film serves as an engaging satire of 1960s revolutionary tropes, effectively contrasting the absurdity of mandatory labor against the human desire for freedom and peace. | |
| Acting | Philippe Noiret’s performance is somewhat restricted by the script's focus on the protagonist's intentional simplicity rather than internal complexity. | |
| Screenplay | The portrayal of the wife’s transformation into a greedy schemer is viewed by some as an unexplained, potentially misogynistic narrative choice, while others see it as a critique of mindless wealth accumulation. | |
| Theme | The film's central premise—the viability of idleness—divides viewers; some find it a poignant rejection of pointless work, while others argue it ignores the harsh socioeconomic realities of those who must labor to support their families. |