Nailia Harzoune

Writer-director Durga Chew-Bose’ first feature adapts Françoise Sagan sensational coming-of-age novel Bonjour Tristesse. The author was only 18 when she published her tale of summertime sexual awakening, jealousy, and plotting In 1954. The story was so controversial that it was denounced by the Pope. Chew-Bose’s film follows Cécile enjoying her slow-paced summer in Southern France with her boyfriend, her widowed father and his latest love interest. The arrival of her late mother’s best friend, slowly throws Cécile’s predictable existence into disarray. Knowing what a ruckus the novel caused, the film feels rather tame. While the story plays out predictably, it still hits all the right notes.