Happy End

It's quite unfortunate that some artists who are perfectly cast in the movie that brings them fame end up being victims of that particular memorable performance. That is, they are identified with one single character which casts a shadow over their remaining career. Great artists manage to overcome this barrier, whereas artists who are limited in characters they could effectively portray move the wrong way. Downwards. Self-destructing themselves. Audrey Tautou belongs to the latter category. She gave it all to Amelie Poulain. And even though the movies that followed "Amelie" were not bad, excitement that surrounded her eventually declined. Before being re-cast by Jean-Pierre Jeunet in "A Very Long Engagement", where Tautou portrays a dry variation of our beloved Amelie Poulain, Tautou chose to take part in a disaster called "Nowhere to Go But Up". Basically, the movie behind this review. "Nowhere to Go But Up", I dare say, is prosaic characterized by a banal script and disastrous acting. Nevertheless, it's somewhat hard to say which is worse, the tasteless movie itself or Audrey Tautou who explicitly demonstrates her numerous shortcomings as an actress.

I chose this film only to see Justin Theroux,whom I ADORE; Ms.Tatou is really unbearable in her,again,happy naive Cinderella-style skinny character.The script is a not-credible fairytale,with some touches of bad taste now and then,probably meant to be modern/transgressive signs,but utterly out of place(i.e.:1-Val peeing in the micro-garden,at night,and Jack taking a photo of her;2-the lesbian kiss) There isn't the slightest trace of chemistry between Jack and Val,not a REAL kiss,not a contact,a scene between the two conveying some emotion. Tatou's acting is irritating.Theroux is a little bit rigid sometimes-I think it's up to the script-and really good and exhilarating in some scenes. If this film was meant to be a sentimental comedy the result is a total disappointment.

This movie is currently playing in Paris as 'Happy End', hence my summary. Tautou has great presence and luminosity, no question, and equally obvious is that she has the makings of another Audrey Hepburn. But this isn't it. Someone has obviously seen the grosses on Breakfast At Tiffany's and figured, okay, let's do another adorable kook in Manhattan, let's have another writer manque become enamored of her and write about her successfully. Okay, it may be dated by now but Breakfast at Tiffs had STYLE. How else could they get away with making Hepburn WORSE than a hooker, a hooker who took money from guys on the tacit understanding that she would come across later and then powder via the powder room. True, they were more up front with the George Peppard character, he WAS a gigolo any way you sliced it, but they could get away with contriving a WHOLESOME romance between two slightly sleazy people because of the Style with which it was done. It was a pity there was no believably chemistry between Hepburn and Peppard but given that Peppard was a graduate of the Forestry Commission School of Acting that was always going to be a problem and given that Hepburn actually married a pygmy Redwood in the shape of Mel Ferrer, she couldn't complain. In this one, Tautou is cast as the adorable kook, French style, come to Manhattan to make it as an actress. She is reduced, however, not only to cleaning toilets but also sleeping and peeing outside the house of Justin Therouze (who he?), a would-be leading man clearly destined to go the same way as Nathalie Nattier. There would be more sexual chemistry between Golda Meir and Yasser Arafat than these two mismatched lovers. See it if you like Tautou, the camera loves her, but that's the best you can say for it. 3/10

There are moments in life when we feel like mere shadows walking the streets of the world, despite shining brighter than we could imagine. My story intertwines deeply with the themes of "Happy End": sacrifice, authenticity, and self-discovery. Just as Val lived every moment of her dream, embracing all the struggles that came with it, so did I, in moments when I was willing to lose everything to understand who I truly am.

Sacrificing for authenticity

At a time when I was declared missing and my photo appeared in tabloids, I wandered the streets of Bucharest barefoot, almost invisible to others. I experienced firsthand what it means to live on the edge of the world, where appearances and actions no longer matter. I bathed in park sprinklers and found meaning in small gestures. I picked up cigarette butts and other trash, symbolically wrapping bad things in beautiful packaging and good things in unattractive wrappings, much like in fairy tales where true treasures hide in seemingly insignificant objects.

This was my first lesson: it's not about what we choose on the surface, but the essence of things. Just as Val chose to live on the streets for her dream, I chose to experience life without comfort to connect with my inner reality.

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Starting from the bottom and meeting my spiritual guide

Just as Val began from scratch, taking on humble jobs, I chose to work at a car wash without denying my dreams. It was there that I met my spiritual guide, who listened and understood me. He advised me to return home, and that became my second step toward healing: accepting a starting point, no matter how low it seemed.

At home, I decided to test myself. I built a small hermitage by a stream and lived there for two months to explore my limits. I realized that I could live simply, without material possessions, and that true happiness doesn't come from things or status but from inner peace.

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Overcoming limits and self-discovery

When I understood that I had managed to face my fears and accept my trauma, I knew it was time to move to the next level. I called for an ambulance and voluntarily admitted myself to receive a proper diagnosis. It was a courageous but necessary step: to accept that sometimes we need help to understand why we do certain things that lack common logic.

Just like in "Happy End", the great lesson wasn't about winning a prize or reaching a grand destination but about discovering myself and addressing my inner wounds. Now in remission, I am more aware than ever that the journey matters more than the destination.

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The dream of a center for authenticity

My experiences and the inspiration from this film have led me to seek more than personal healing. Just as Jack overcame his own blockages by helping Val shine, my dream is to build a center in Romania for trauma healing and restoring hope. I want this center to be a place where those who feel lost can find their way. A place where unpolished diamonds are understood and valued for what they are, not for what society demands them to be.

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Promoting authenticity

I resonate with this film's message because I also promote authenticity, both in my personal and social life. I believe in a society where people don't sell their dreams for comfort or get corrupted by the desire for more. It's essential to learn how to argue constructively, express our viewpoints, and know when to let go of things that hold us back.

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Conclusion: The journey to oneself

Just like in "Happy End", the real story isn't about external success but about having the courage to look in the mirror and face your shadows. This is the lesson I want to share with those around me and the reason why, like Val, I continue my journey with confidence, hope, and authenticity.

Wow, this actually has a lot in common with the first movie I watched today called "The Swinger" (1966) and I wasn't expecting that, so they would make a great double-feature! And the star of "The Swinger" is Ann-Margaret, who is Swedish-born, and this movie stars French actress Audrey Tautou playing a character who is a huge fan of Swedish-born Golden Age of Hollywood star Greta Garbo. The parallels between these movie are profound, now that I think about it, but not totally obvious.

Aside from the fact that this stars the adorable Audrey Tautou, I knew I would like this the minute it opened, when the camera caught a pic of Greta Garbo! Audrey's character loving Garbo was such a nice touch! Other things I liked are the score, which made me think of a 1970s/80s romance or romcom. It didn't really fit this movie, but I liked it for what it was. I also loved Jennifer Tilly in this. She was a breath of fresh air every time she was on screen!

This movie wasn't at all like I was hoping it would be- not as deep, not as romantic, not as esoteric. It lacks the magic and philosophical pondering about the meaning of life that I thought it was going to have. BUT! It's still very cute and worth seeing- especially if you are a fan of the two actresses that star in it like I am. The only really bad thing about this is it makes me wish that Audrey T. Made more English-language movies!