Watch Life Is A Bed Of Roses

Life Is A Bed Of Roses is a 1983 French film directed by Alain Resnais. The movie is a fascinating exploration of human relationships, love, and nostalgia set in a surreal, but charming context consisting of a school, a castle, and a garden. The film tells three intertwined stories that take place in different times, periods and locations but share common themes and characters. The first plot thread is set in the present time and revolves around the construction of an idyllic garden by a wealthy businessman named Alexandre (Vittorio Gassman) who is obsessed with the idea of creating a perfect world.

The second story is set in the early twentieth century and takes place in a school where a group of visionary educators led by the idealistic François (Ruggero Raimondi) tries to create a utopian society for children that defies the conventions of their time. The third and final plot follows the struggles of a contemporary artist named Elizabeth (Geraldine Chaplin), who is searching for meaning and inspiration in her life as she tries to reconcile with her past.

As the three narratives unfold, Resnais intentionally blurs the boundaries between reality and fantasy by using a variety of visual and narrative techniques, such as surreal imagery, flashbacks, and time leaps. The film's dreamlike quality is further enhanced by the evocative score composed by Philippe-Gérard and the sumptuous, colorful cinematography by Bruno Nuytten.

The movie's central theme is the elusive nature of happiness, and how people's idealism and nostalgia can lead to both great triumphs and crushing disappointments. Through the different characters and their stories, Resnais examines how love, aspirations, and the desire for a better world can shape people's lives and relationships.

Vittorio Gassman's portrayal of Alexandre is a standout performance, as the actor brings an intense energy and a larger-than-life presence to the role of a man who is trapped by his own vision of perfection. Ruggero Raimondi's performance as the visionary educator François is also remarkable, as he portrays a man who believes in the power of education to transform society and overcome the prejudices and inequalities of his time.

Geraldine Chaplin's character Elizabeth is a complex and nuanced portrayal of a woman who is struggling with her past and her uncertain future, as she tries to find a balance between her personal life and her artistic aspirations.

Overall, Life Is A Bed Of Roses is a beautiful and thought-provoking movie that engages the audience with its rich imagery, complex characters, and daring narrative structure. It is a film that challenges the viewer's assumptions about what makes people happy and what constitutes a meaningful life, and its message is as relevant today as it was when the movie was first released.

Life Is A Bed Of Roses is a 1983 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.