Thoughts on 5 to 7

This was  a kitchy French romance that turned out to be not that bad in the end. The story was an interesting one, but I couldn't help but think this is what the French government wants us to watch. An Aristocrat's wife has a deleance wiht an aspiring young writer. Yet she gives him the slip when he tries to get serious. Leaving the ruling class to their wealth and privilege and the writer to a career as a writer with a middle class family that he seems a little too content with. I was taken aback at how the aristocrats use and discard people who serve their sexual needs but refuse to allow their emotions and their bank accounts get drawn into sordid affairs. It's hypocrisy that allows the elite of France to do as they please while taxing the populace. I've been reading Michel Houellebecq, so I'm sure his criticism of Liberal French society have influenced my views.

In my view the film simply promotes the status quo in France. It is fine to have sexual affairs without reprimand. That's just how they do it in France. Which is acceptable if you are French, but as would have it the French in this film want everyone to bend to their needs. And when their needs are met they can discard you like the trash. The lead actress in this film fits the description of what I've said. She makes promises to the young writer, then when it comes time to decide she can't leave her life of wealth and privilege to runaway with the young writer. She chooses her family, but more importantly her wealthy husband. It wasn't so obvious what she would do. That I liked about the film. It kept me guessing as to how it turn out. Yet all along I had the impression that she was not leaving here diplomat husband. I thought right as she doesn't leave.

I thought the last scene was despicable. Here is the writer, balding, looking like Mr. Rogers from Sesame street, greeted by his mistress and her husband who haven't changed a bit. I thought to myself that it is further hypocrisy. They should have at least aged a bit. Perhaps they should have split up. But again, as is so often the case in French culture, the elite win. They have perfect lives that are completely bourgeois. I've seen it in Madame Bovery. And it happens in Les Mis. The status quo is preserved and nothing changes.