Behind every great man is a great woman. Especially if that man is as shrouded in mystery and as reclusive as post-impressionist French painter and printmaker Pierre Bonnard.
Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe is as much a character study as it is a love story about the decade-spanning romance between famed painter Pierre Bonnard (Vincent Macaigne) and his wife, Marthe (Cécile de France). Our first glimpse of a young Bonnard reveals an ambitious artist with a clear vision of his calling. When Marthe, a young woman who becomes his model, enters his life, Pierre is immediately captivated. He advances on her with a certain ferocity and overbearing persistence, before a tumultuous and fiery bond form, one that lasts the ages.
Like many love stories of yore, the power dynamic between the two is tested, constantly evolving to psychological trials and tribulations whilst being marinated by each person’s own complex insecurities and neuroticisms. It’s fairly by-the-books regarding the perils of romance to begin with, with clashing family class dynamics arising between the partners. Different preferences and ambitions in life rift their lifestyles, and Pierre’s paintings start to reflect such.
The story takes a significant turn when Pierre introduces a much younger woman, Renée (Stacey Martin), into their lives. This naturally pulls all on Marthe’s psychological nature. However, she responds with admirable grace and character by tolerating Renée at first and trying to work with this newfound mistress, leading to fascinating. albeit predictable, twists on the trope of loving thy enemy. Art then mirrors the essence of human experience, and it’s not long before Marthe finds her artistic calling.
The film’s portrayal of their relationship is marked by a delicate balance between high-octane energy and immersive storytelling. Sweeping panoramic over-the-shoulder shots follow our protagonists, highlighting both their joy and turmoil, with this ultimately proving a harmonious collaboration around the beautiful locales – which almost become characters in their own right. Many story beats are constantly, stylistically intercut between fade-to-black additives, making you feel like everything is as fleeting as love can be; There is truly remarkable rhythm in the film’s pacing.
The complicated devotion the couple had for each other is sublimely felt in the performance of our leads. You can sense the gentle reserved spirit of Bonnard through Macaigne’s performance, but there’s a fire in his eyes all the same. Marthe, as played by de France, wrestles beautifully with her fragile, yet resilient sensitivity; There is so much psychological subtext and complexity behind the curtain in how the two play off each other.
What you see before you in Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe is a tableau of complexity, heartbreak, compromise, and a guilt-ridden dependence on one another, pairing love and a shared career goal. Perhaps it suggests that amidst all this chaos, love remains the driving force behind the artist’s creative journey. If you’re looking for an inspiring tale of how someone develops their legendary craftsmanship with a brush, you’ll find a very complicated and thought-provoking answer here.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe is screening in Australian theatres from September 12th, 2024, with special advance screenings September 6th – 8th.
