Grand bonheur (1993)

Grand bonheur is a French film comedy-drama first released in 1993, directed by Hervé Le Roux.  The film stars Charlotte Léo, Pierre Gérard, Pierre Berriau, Christine Vouilloz and Lucas Belvaux.  It has also been released under the title: Great Happiness.  Our overall rating for this film is: good.


A group of film and drama students are spending their last summer together before their final year exams.  Whilst preparing a revue they face their future in the real world with both excitement and trepidation.

This charming comedy-drama from director Hervé Le Roux accurately conveys the mood and aspirations of a group of young students whose cosy world of lectures and casual relationships is about to be replaced by the real world of work and family commitment.  Closely observed, the film’s authenticity is reinforced by the minimalist style of the mise-en-scène and the naturalistic performances from a sympathetic cast.  The downbeat comedy periodically gives way to hilarious farce in the sequences depicting rehearsals for a god-awful end-of-term revue.  Although loosely structured and a little over-long, this is overall an engaging and accessible piece of cinéma vérité .

© James Travers 2004

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