Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe (2024)
Original title: Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe
Marthe de Méligny and the famous French painter Pierre Bonnard’s complex relationship is explored in the biographical drama Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe. The story follows the creative and romantic relationship between the two over the course of fifty years, illuminating how Bonnard used Marthe as a model for many of his most lauded pieces. Set against the background of early 20th-century France, the story develops through pivotal points in their lives, capturing the spirit of their love.
Although the film strives for a more profound examination of love and art, it occasionally succumbs to the typical pitfalls of biopics, making the story feel less developed and more like a rundown of facts. While director Martin Provost deserves praise for skilfully tying together their lives’ artistic and emotional threads, the pace, especially in the first act, can be tedious. The film’s structure, with its four parts, gives us a look at their lives at different points, but it can feel disconnected at times.
The standout performances of the film are definitely Cécile de France’s Marthe and Vincent Macaigne’s Bonnard. Bonnard is portrayed by Macaigne as a kind soul torn between his creative aspirations and the intricacies of his relationship with Marthe; Macaigne gives him a relaxed, warm charm. However, the dynamic between Marthe and De France is riveting because De France personifies Marthe’s ferocious and even aggressive personality. In scenes where Bonnard’s work shows how Marthe’s influence on him is apparent, demonstrating how his creativity is fuelled by their personal struggles, their chemistry is palpable.
Cinematographer Guillaume Schiffman does a masterful job capturing the intimate moments and verdant landscapes that make up Bonnard’s universe. Its colour scheme is eye-catching and reminiscent of Bonnard’s vivid paintings. Composer Michael Galasso’s score adds a beautiful, wistful undercurrent to the images, heightening the narrative’s emotional impact.
The film’s pace is off, and it drags its feet when discussing its historical background, which detracts from the overall experience. The attempt to portray the social mores of that era is obvious, but there is frequently a chance to explore the characters’ inner struggles that is not given enough attention. Even though there are touching moments, the dialogue isn’t always natural and doesn’t always raise the emotional stakes.
The personal, rather than merely the professional, aspects of Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe’s subject matter set it apart from other artist biopics. Still, it falls short of the brilliance of films like Frida or Pollock, which do a better job of contrasting the artist’s genius with the chaos of their life.
Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe is an emotionally moving portrait of a one-of-a-kind creative partnership and a gorgeously shot film overall. Art lovers and those interested in the complexities of love and creativity should watch it because, despite not fully escaping the conventions of its genre, it has strong performances and beautiful cinematography. Its artistic aspirations and narrative flaws are well-balanced. Watching this film is a must if you find yourself interested in how art and interpersonal relationships interact.