Jul. 02, 2012|France|111 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;Romance
Description: In the summer of 1915, renowned painter Renoir, aged 74, mourns the loss of his wife, Aline. Living at his farm, Les Collettes, in Cagnes-sur-Mer on the Côte d’Azur, he is surrounded by devoted female servants, many of whom were once his models. Meanwhile, World War I rages in the north. Renoir’s two eldest sons, Pierre and Jean, have both sustained severe injuries in the war. Jean returns home early in the film, recovering from a leg injury that nearly resulted in amputation. His youngest son, Claude, known as Coco, is a young teenager living on the estate.
Despite enduring immense physical pain, which forces him to tie his hand to his paintbrush, Renoir remains captivated by the way light interacts with the soft texture of a young girl’s skin. His energy reignites when he meets 15-year-old Andrée Heuschling, also called Dedee, a lively and striking redhead recommended as a model by Henri Matisse. Renoir wryly reflects on their age difference, acknowledging it as a barrier to any romantic connection. To him, Andrée embodies the essence of life, a beauty he describes as one that “Titian would have worshiped.” Renoir’s philosophy is simple yet profound: “Flesh! That’s all that matters.”
The film, beautifully shot by cinematographer Mark Ping Bing Lee, captures the lush, vibrant landscape of Les Collettes, reflecting Renoir’s passionate vision of the world. While the movie avoids unnecessary drama, it subtly explores the psychological dynamics and minor conflicts within the Renoir household, with Andrée serving as a catalyst for change. Her presence leaves a lasting impact on the family, adding depth to the narrative.
Cast director: Gilles Bourdos
Cast actor: Michel Bouquet, Christa Théret, Vincent Rottiers, Thomas Doret, Romane Bohringer, Carlo Brandt, Solène Rigot, Anne-Lise Heimburger, Hélène Babu, Stuart Seide
Original name: Renoir