Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne (1945)

 Robert Bresson's "Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne"

Being somewhat familiar with the work of Robert Bresson, I found myself completely disoriented by his second feature film, 1945's "Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne." The reason for my disorientation is due to how completely un-Bresson this film actually is. It is a very visually stark and crisp melodrama that leans way too heavily into the style of melodrama. There are occasional moments of contemplation and social dynamics, but most of the film deals in a revenge plot that is less than to be desired.

 Centering on a woman named Helene, the film details Helene's scorn at her lover, Jean's, disengagement with her. After they agree to remain friends, Helene plots to entrap him. Helene financially saves an economically destitute mother and daughter, in which the daughter is a cabaret dancer and prostitute. After providing them with a new living situation, to which they are now in her debt, she orchestrates the meeting between them and Jean. Jean falls in love with the daughter, Agnes. But, Agnes just wants a simple life away from pawning men. She tries and fails to deter Jean, but ultimately is caught in the web of circumstances that Helene has orchestrated. At the wedding between Jean and Agnes, Helene finally tells Jean exactly who he married. He becomes shocked, but by the night's end, he confesses to Agnes that he still loves her.

Firstly, I would like to point out that the entire revenge plot its plausibility seems convoluted. To have Jean have Helene go through the entire process of arranging everything right down to their own wedding is one thing. Another thing is for Jean to never ever come to any conclusions about his new bride through any meaningful conversations they may have had. Or vise versa. I felt as though the film's plot was incredibly lacking on the part of Bresson. 

That being said, the tone of the film is impeccable. Almost just as black as the late 1930s films that were being produced in France, "Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne" offers a horrifying look at the taking advantage of economically destitute people for the sake of personal revenge and gratification. The character of Helene completely manipulates Agnes and her mother and uses their economic dependency on her to ruin their lives. I'm not exactly sure what to make of the thematic implications of this, or whether these details are moot, but it creates such an undesirable feeling within the viewer that you can't quite shake off. 

All of this to say, I felt mixed about the film. On one hand, it felt very melodramatic and convoluted plot-wise. On the other hand, it offered a very bleak depiction of a human soul and its ability to prioritize revenge and personal vendettas over the sake and well-being of economically destitute people. Perhaps this tone was perfect during the Nazi occupation, which was still happening at the time of the film's filming schedule. I'm not sure if we are meant to sympathize with Helene, but I certainly did not and feel as though her hatred and scorn best represents the occupying force that was oppressing France at the time. The characters of Agnes and her mother offer a glimpse at a French society that has become down-on-their-luck and dependent on those who only wish to harm them. This is the reading of the film that I choose to stick with, which makes the film better overall and dilutes the distaste for the film's dramatic shortcomings.