Gemma Bovery (4 Stars)

Charlie and Gemma Bovery are an English couple who have just moved to Normandy from London. Charlie is an antique restorer, Gemma is an artist. Everything seems so idyllic when they move into the large house in a small village, but the romantic illusions soon fade. The house is in a poor state, the roof leaks, and there are mice.

From the beginning Gemma is closely observed by their neighbour Martin Joubert, who lives opposite. He's a baker in the village, probably the only baker. His favourite novel is the French classic, "Madame Bovary", and he's struck by the similarity with the names of the main characters, Charles and Emma Bovary. Martin is attracted to Gemma, but he doesn't show his feelings. He watches over her as she goes about her daily business.

I haven't read "Madame Bovary", but I feel like I ought to. From the short synopsis that I've read, she was a woman bored with her marriage. She had several affairs, the first with a rich nobleman, but they didn't satisfy her. Eventually she committed suicide.

Gemma begins an affair with Hervé, a young nobleman in the village. This alarms Martin. He thinks that Gemma's life is following the same path as that of Emma Bovary in the novel. He interferes in her life, trying to steer her in other directions, but whatever he does she carries out the same actions as her almost namesake. It's like the hand of fate is pushing her towards her doom. Martin recommends the book to her, and she begins to read it, but she fails to see the similarity with herself. Martin is desperate to save her life.

When I reviewed "The Last Days of Chez Nous" yesterday I complained that films about women having affairs aren't interesting unless something more is offered. "Gemma Bovery" is a film that offers more. There's a sinister background to the love affairs that only Martin can see. Gemma is naively trying to find something to ease the boredom in her life, but she doesn't see the guillotine hanging over her neck.

This is a beautiful film, with an almost dreamlike quality. It's only a coincidence that the actress who plays Gemma Bovery is also called Gemma. Or is it? Was she destined to appear in this film? She dances from scene to scene with a child-like innocence. Even when she does wrong, it's easy to forgive her. The viewer understands her. Martin understands her, but he doesn't judge her, he just wants her to be faithful to her husband for her own good.

The film deserved to be more successful. It's a French production, and maybe it's too French for international audiences.

Success Rate:  - 2.4

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