For his second film about a painter, Martin Provost is far less inspired than he was with "Séraphine"
In recounting five decades in the life of the Nabi artist Pierre Bonnard, nicknamed the "painter of happiness", and his model companion, muse and finally wife, Marthe, he certainly produces some fine images and a good period reconstruction, and tells us a great deal about these two complementary beings. However, a few serious shortcomings tend to spoil the broth: the pace that becomes increasingly languid, the dialogue that sometimes seems like a copy-paste from Wikipedia, three very unconvincing dream sequences and downright painful scenes of hysteria. Fortunately, the pair of lead actors, totally invested in their characters, save the day: Vincent Macaigne (in first role as a real-life character) and Cécile de France (who knows how to convey every emotion).
Nothing to be ashamed of, but Martin Provost has already proved, with "Séraphine", that he can do better.
