Painter Pierre Bonnard was a leading figure in the transition from impressionism to modernism with his stylised use of colour. A versatile artist, painting everything from landscapes to portraits largely from memory. As with many creative minds, he had a muse and his was Marthe who it is estimated appeared in over one third of his life’s work.
Filmmaker Martin Provist has already made one film on a French artist with his 2009 César Award winning biopic, ‘Séraphine’ and hopes to achieve similar acclaim with this intimate portrait of yet another extremely talented yet troubled Parisian painter.
1893 in Paris, France, a young struggling painter named Pierre Bonnard (Vincent Macaigne) plucks a random woman off the street to pose as a model. Despite not even knowing each other’s names, before long the model and the artist are in bed together, beginning a love affair which lasted half a century.
Marthe (Cécile de France) lives a modest existence working in an artificial flower shop. Pierre is slowly but steadily making a huge name for himself as a founder in the post-impressionist movement. As the two lovers spend more time together, Marthe is introduced to Pierre‘s world. Amongst his creative friends like renowned pianist and patron of the arts Misia Sert (Anouk Grinberg), Marthe feels out of place. Yet Pierre‘s adoration and love for his new muse is unmistakeable and they become life partners.
Over the years and through both World Wars, Pierra and Marthe’s love is challenged. Their life together is a decidedly unconventional one with its unique difficulties. Other artists and younger women may turn the eyes of Pierre, dubbed “The Artist of Happiness”, but there is no Pierre Bonnard without his Marthe Bonnard.
While covering a large swathe of the life of this particular artist Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe does so in a unique way. Showing this period of time not through Pierre‘s fame or growing popularity but chiefly, his relationship with Marthe.
A a passionate affair Pierre shares with a young woman named Renee Monchaty (Stacy Martin), brought on by the older man’s ego gives reason for Marthe to be jealous and she goes the extra mile to try to hold onto her paramour. But the two share something much more special that can’t be broken by a wandering eye.
The true beauty in the film comes alive in the scenes within the quiet countryside home on the banks of the Seine, with the chemistry between the two leads against the stunning visuals of nature. There may be a few too many scenes of our two lovers blissfully frolicking in the nude but the happiness they share is palpable.
The performances from the film’s stars are great particularly in showing the effects time has on their relationship; both positive and negative. From a pair of lust filled youths to an elderly married couple that are content with each other’s undying companionship. Aided by what is sure to be award winning make-up by Kaatje Van Damme, you really get the sense of this fully fleshed out love story spanning over decades.
Much more interested in telling a tale of two partners than a step by step account of Pierre Bonnard’s art career, the film may deter some art lovers. Personally, I found Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe a fascinating look into the life of Pierre and Marthe Bonnard as a creative duo. Highlighting the importance the devotion between a man and his muse had on a lifetime of artistic endeavours.
Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe is in cinemas everywhere from September 12.