Watch Milou en mai

Milou en mai is a 1990 French movie directed by Louis Malle, telling the story of a French family who comes together after the passing of the patriarch in 1968, during the May Revolution. The movie stars Miou-Miou, Michel Piccoli, Michel Duchaussoy and other talented actors, and features stunning cinematography and a captivating soundtrack.

The movie is set in a rural region of France, where the Angellier family lives in a large mansion. The family is made up of siblings Milou (Michel Piccoli), Maman Angellier (Paulette Dubost), and their respective families. Milou is a wealthy, but selfish businessman who gave up on his rural roots, whereas Maman Angellier is a reserved woman who relies heavily on familial tradition. However, their family dynamic is about to change as their father passes away during the May Revolution of 1968, and Milou takes it upon himself to bring his siblings and their families together to deal with his father's estate.

The rest of the family includes Milou's sister, Catherine (Miou-Miou) and her husband Francois (Hubert Deschamps), who is a communist sympathizer, and their daughter, Camille (Brigitte Roüan). Camille is pregnant and was supposed to visit her aunt Maman Angellier with her partner, but due to the May Revolution, they are stranded in Paris. The family servants, including Raoul (Michel Duchaussoy) the gardener, are also affected by the passing of the patriarch and the family disagreement that follows.

As the family convenes at the Angellier mansion, old rivalries and resentments surface, and tensions run high. The family members are struggling to cope with a shifting world that has left them behind, and with each other as they struggle to come to terms with the inheritance. Milou, who is now at the helm of the shared property, has his own vision for the future, one that includes modernizing the property and profiting from changes in society, while Maman Angellier and the others are desperate to hold onto the past and the way things have always been.

Throughout the course of the movie, the family is forced to confront their differences, as well as societal changes that have created a sense of unrest across France. They must learn to work together to overcome their internal struggles and face the outside world as a unified front. As the days pass, the family members begin to rediscover the bonds that tie them together, and they navigate their way through this time of upheaval to find a new way forward.

The performances in Milou en mai are excellent across the board. Michel Piccoli delivers a standout performance as Milou, embodying the character's arrogance, self-importance, and eventual vulnerability with nuance and depth. Miou-Miou is equally impressive as Catherine, bringing a fiery energy to the character and imbuing her with a sense of warmth and humanity. The supporting cast, including Michel Duchaussoy as Raoul, are also outstanding, playing their respective characters with authenticity and depth.

The cinematography in Milou en mai is absolutely breathtaking, with sweeping shots of the French countryside that perfectly capture the beauty of the region. The film's use of color and contrast is also noteworthy, with the bright, lush greens of the countryside standing in stark contrast to the pastels and muted tones of the family's estate.

The movie's soundtrack is also an important element, with evocative music that perfectly captures the tone of the film. The use of traditional French music, such as La Marseillaise, serves to further immerse the viewer in the world of the film, and the score by Stephane Grappelli adds another layer of emotional depth to the proceedings.

In conclusion, Milou en mai is a beautifully crafted movie that is simultaneously a poignant family drama and a reflection of societal and historical changes at a critical juncture in French history. With powerful performances, stunning visuals, and a rich sense of atmosphere, it is a must-watch for fans of French cinema and anyone looking for a thought-provoking, emotionally resonant story.