Our next movie is Renoir
(2013) directed by Gilles Bourdos, and starring French actors Michel Bouquet,
Christa Théret,
and Vincent Rottiers. This is part of our summer movie series that feature
artists in the garden. As mentioned for the previous movie, artists can be
unconventional, so this movie may not be for you. But if you appreciate art,
artists, and the creative process, join me with your Kettle Corn and cool
summer beverage!
The movie is set on the French Riviera at the estate of
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841 - 1919), in the summer of 1915. Renoir, one of the
early Impressionist painter, has retreated to the Mediterranean coast in the
south of France. He is grieving the recent death of his wife, battling painful
rheumatoid arthritis at age 74, and lamenting that two of his sons have been
wounded in war. He is attended by several of his former models who keep house,
attend to his health, and provide companionship. His younger son runs wild in
the countryside dealing with his mother's death and his anger at his father.
A mysterious young woman, Andrée, arrives at the estate,
saying she was sent by Renoir's dead wife to be his model. Renoir is
reinvigorated by her presence, and begins to paint despite his pain. One of the
sons, Jean (1894 - 1979), returns home to convalesce. Both father and son are
captivated by the young model, and inspired by her free spirit and youthful
beauty. The father explores a new level of painting, and the son finds his
purpose to become a film maker. The movie becomes a story about the Renoirs
(father and son), their relationships, and their creativity.
I loved the beauty of the movie with its lush settings,
filtered shade and brilliant light, color palette, glimpses of the
Mediterranean Sea and nature, and summer scenes. Details of daily living,
Renoir's art studio, life on the estate, picnics and pleine air painting in
nature, are depicted almost like art, befitting both a painter and a film
maker. Relationships are complex and messy. The characters grapple with life
and death, aging and loss, beauty and love, creativity and purpose, and the
whole human experience. The war seems distant in their summer of Eden, but it
makes its presence known.
Take
a look (click Watch Trailer): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2150332/
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