François' wife and children are played by Jean-Claude Drouot's real family in their only film appearances.
When it was first released, this film created quite a stir in the press as its lack of moral judgment of adultery was not well received by many. Consequently, the movie was classified as "Forbidden to people under 18", the French equivalent of a very hard R.
The movie François and Therese are going to see starring Brigitte Bardot and Jeanne Moreau is Viva Maria! (1965).
Agnès Varda wrote of Le bonheur (1965): "I don't think I've ever worked so quickly. I wrote it in exactly three days. I wrote the film fast and shot it fast, like the vivid brightness of our short-lived summers."
Her visuals were lush and romantic, influenced by Impressionism. Varda also related: "Impressionist paintings emanate such melancholy, though they depict scenes of everyday happiness."
She also includes a scene from Jean Renoir's film, Le déjeuner sur l'herbe (1959), which is both a satire and a tribute to the Manet painting of the same name, plays on a television.
Her visuals were lush and romantic, influenced by Impressionism. Varda also related: "Impressionist paintings emanate such melancholy, though they depict scenes of everyday happiness."
She also includes a scene from Jean Renoir's film, Le déjeuner sur l'herbe (1959), which is both a satire and a tribute to the Manet painting of the same name, plays on a television.
This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #420.