Cleo from 5 to 7 (Cléo de 5 à 7)
Directed by Agnes Varda
Written by Agnes Varda
1962/France/Italy
Cine Tamaris/Rome Paris Films
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
[box] We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. Joseph Campbell [/box]
The second time around seemed much funnier than the first but just as satisfying.
Cleo (Corrine Marchand) is a beautiful up-and-coming pop singer. On this particular day, she is waiting to find out the results of medical tests that may show she has cancer. The story plays out in almost real time over the last two hours before she is to get hold of her doctor. Starting with a fortune teller, all signs point toward illness and death. Cleo spends part of her remaining time making frivolous purchases, complaining, and otherwise indulging her ego and other vices.
Finally, she is so worried and fed up that she yanks off her hair piece, changes clothes, and heads off to see a girl friend. The friend drops Cleo off in a park where she meets up with a young soldier who, though about to go off to war himself, is content to hear about the troubles of his new acquaintance.
I just love the sly way that Varda plays with expectations in this film! I also liked the expose of the utter silliness that lies behind much feminine glamor and beauty. I kept yelling at Cleo to do something about her hair. When she did, my heart soared. Another plus is the Michel LeGrand score. I highly recommend this movie which puts the “new” in New Wave.
Trailer
Yes, finally a New Wave movie that is actually good!
I liked this tremendously and I am happy you like it too. The transformation she goes through is so heart warming.
Cleo is actually a pretty woman once she throws off all the glamour junk. You are right, that vanity just looks silly.
Could only a woman have made her heroine so ridiculous? I’m inclined to think so!
I loved this movie. In retrospect, I’m not surprised–I’ve at least liked everything Agnes Varda has touched that I have seen, but this one is really special.
Of Varda, I’ve only seen this one and one charming short. So good to know I have new adventures to look forward to!