LES CHANSONS D'AMOUR (LOVE SONGS)

France, 2007, 95 minutes, Colour.
Louis Garrel, Ludivine Sagnier, Chiara Mastroianni, Clotilde Hesme, Gregoire Leprince- Ringuet, Brigitte Rouan.
Directed by Christophe Honore.

Christophe Honore’s films are usually talkative, abstract reflections and interactions about communication and love. This one is less talkative. However, the characters suddenly burst (or, rather, quietly begin) into song, the French plaintive ballad style with lyrics that hover between depth and the trite.

Structure has three parts: Departure, Absence, Return. Of love, that is. This relates to Julie (Ludivine Sagnier) who dies, leaving her boyfriend (Honore regular, Louis Garrel) and family. They all feel (and sing) her absence. But the way they return from grief to ordinary life varies considerably, especially for Ismael, the boyfriend. Honore maintains some geometric patterns within the structure, with the central characters attempting all gender possibilities.

As they say, this is particularly French in content and style, but it does centre on a self-preoccupied, superficial young man whose life’s framework seems indulgently amoral.

1.The title, the songs during the film? The lyrics, the music? The characters, relating to their quests? How effective?

2.Paris, the city itself, the workplaces, the homes? Ordinary life?

3.The structure of the film: the departure, absence, the return? With reference to whom?

4.The patterns of relationship, especially for Ismael throughout the film, with each of the characters, gender preferences? Sexuality, emotions?

5.The focus on Ismael, his work at the office, the paper, working with Alice, the phone call from Julie, her exasperation with him, her going to the film? At home, the three together? The ménage a trois? The effect on each of them? His working with Alice, his friendship with Julie and her family? The meal, his amusing the family with his voices and the puppet? Julie’s death, the effect on him? Her absence and his sadness, meals with the family, with her sisters, with Jeanne, with Jasmine? With her mother and father? Their wanting him to have her money and insurance, his refusing? The relationship with Alice? His going to the store, picking up the girl serving? Alice and her relationship with Gwendal? Erwann and his approach, the night, the apartment? From Breton, Ismael’s reaction? Erwann pursuing him? The time together, seduction, love, the songs? Jeanne and her disillusionment with him? His final decisions, returning to Erwann? A self-centred man, amoral framework, shallow in relationships?

6.Julie, her relationship with Ismael, love, exasperation, the relationship with Alice? The meals at home, her confiding in her mother, describing her experiences? Her sudden death? Appearing as a ghost in the last part?

7.Alice, at work, relationships, with Julie, with Ismael, working with him? With Gwendal, breaking it, thinking Erwann was coming to pursue her? Her tolerance?

8.Jeanne, older, the place in the family, picking up Julie’s things, her bonds with Ismael? Her shock at his behaviour? Her not judging him – but judging him?

9.Erwann, from the country, studies, homosexual, attachment to Ismael, in the apartment, ringing him, their song, the sexual relationship, the end?

10.The mother and father, their love for their daughters, Jasmine and her moodiness, the encounter with Ismael? The mother and her slipping out at night to discuss the issues, the father and the issue of the money?

11.The French style, abstract talking and reflection, the role of the songs, their lyrics? Sexuality, identity, relationships? An amoral framework?