Very enjoyable film. Easy on the eyes, but not much depth. Soap opera story plays out rather unconvincingly, but the lovely scenery and engaging personalities make it all worthwhile. What a great way to spend 94 minutes: lost in the carefree lifestyle of the French Riviera at a time when the world seemed calm. Pure fantasy now! David Niven is more charming and relaxed than usual, in contrast to the typically tight-laced Deborah Kerr, who tries to impose some decorum upon the hedonists. Jean Seberg is delightful. Though her acting is terrible, she makes up for it with warmth and beauty. It also helps that she spends most of the film running around in bathing suits. She beat Mia Farrow to the short cropped hair by ten years. Preminger's one clever device of using both color and black-and-white photography adds visual interest, but fails to convey the heartbreak it's intended for. Recommend this film for pleasant escapism.
Review of Bonjour Tristesse
