'Murmur Of The Heart'

I like that someone on IMDB called this a "jolly coming-of-age story." "Jolly" is not quite the adjective I would use to describe Murmur of the Heart.

I do think that there's a certain amount of satire that Louis Malle tries to evoke. Kind of a thumb to the nose to all the "jolly" TV programs that show how light hearted and easy being a kid was.

Life for our main man Laurent is not has free and easy as they seem. Sleeping with prostitutes, drinking, smoking, getting girls and joyriding. Getting to spend time in a cush sanatorium. Seamlessly sleeping with his hot mother with no repercussions and even a hearty laugh to finish it all off.

This isn't "jolly." It's dark as hell. It's daunting. Confused beyond reason, Laurent is a young man totally devoid of the typical qualities that distinguish us from the ape family. The laughter that serves as an exclamation point to Murmur of the Heart is kind of a neurotic reaction to running askew of the laws of nature.

Dying in 1995, Malle did this well in his time.