MovieChat Forums > Partie de campagne (1950) Discussion > How to interpret the ending.

How to interpret the ending.


It seems that the general idea is that Henriette and Henri both fell in love with each other and that Henriette, by her words at the end, thought happily of the event. Point is, she clearly resists him at first, then seemingly gives in. At the end she cries and says that she "thinks of it every night". The whole thing can be interpreted in two absolutely opposite ways... And probably standards were different in them days, but I have a hard time thinking of Henri's actions as anything but deplorable, and his intentions far from amicable. His words at the end seemed hollow as well.

How could such a strong feeling as love develop in a span of what must have been only hours?

The only things I can see which speak in favor of the "love" theory is the fact that we are told that Henri is "tired of tarts" and is looking for "love eternal", while his friend is obviously of other thoughts. Much effort is also spent of making Anatole, Henriette husband-to-be, look like an absolutly useless fool. Perhaps this was done so that one would think of Henriette as being in an 'unfavorable position', and as such side with Henri.

Any thoughts?

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Much effort is also spent of making Anatole, Henriette husband-to-be, look like an absolutly useless fool.

This is, by far, my biggest beef with the film. It seems almost cartoonish the way Anatole was written and really brings the movie down a notch.

By the way, what is your second way of interpreting the end? Just that they didn't actually fall in love? Or something along the lines of she cries because she feels guilt from that day?

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Very good summary engammleryss. I have to agree with the points you make.

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[deleted]

When you read the short story (written by Maupassant) that this film is based on, you understand that they did more than kiss. At first she resists because she is a nice girl so she is supposed to resist (especially at the time) but she desires the guy and stop resisting. What they do is not written but suggested.


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Henri is impressed by the manner she behaves. Her speech and how she carries herself. Consider it as a summer fling. It can happen like that.

That's poetic realism though. The characters get a chance at intense real love after a life of disappointment, only to be disappointed again, and left disillusioned and emptier than before.

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Easy, Henriette never experienced again the passion that she felt that summer. After that her life was a misery living with that moron that maybe didn't know how to make love to a girl.

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Simple, Henriette never experienced again the passion that she felt that summer. After that her life was a misery living with that moron that maybe didn't know how to make love to a girl.

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It's very subtle and is only apparent on repeat viewings, but it's clear when you pay attention to Henriette's demeanor from when she first meets Henri that she is attracted to him. When I saw the movie the first time I had your same reaction. I thought she was completely resisting him until the kiss, and I thought he was being deplorable. But the more I re-watched the movie, the more I noticed her loneliness and her attraction to Henri. The way she looked at him and greeted him, the way she continued to look at him, the way she sought out conversation with him, and even the way she unconsciously(?) held his hand at one point. By the time the kiss came, she had given him clear signals of mutual attraction, and that was perhaps why he felt comfortable enough to make his move (and why she ultimately stopped resisting).

This was, in fact, a common thing in Renoir's films. He tended to put in subtle character details that we really had to pay attention to to notice, or watch again.

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She gives in - to a kiss. Maybe more, maybe not (am not talking about the book). Maybe he did behave like a gentleman and repected her (unspoken) wish not to go further. Which made him even more loveable. Just my idea of the scene.
They liked each other immediately, but both knew that a marriage would not have been possible (her being already "promised", society rules, class reasons - whatever). In fact, marriage might not have been a romantic thing those days anyway (is it today?), it was rather a business union.
She never felt that way ever again (no surprise with that moron husband), but must have conserved that single memory from then on (which was enhanced through her intense feeling towards nature - note the nightingale, the caterpillar, the rain). Noticed that she had learned rowing?
I instantly believed what Henri said to her. He was portrayed as an romantic idealist right from the beginning (kitchen scene) and came to the place alone many years later. Maybe he never married at all - I suggest that for all idealists anyway ;-).
A very sad and beautiful end imho. At the beginning of the movie I was afraid the the other guy (the 'womanizer') might 'spoil' and then leave her and actually feld relieved that Henri took over.

P.S. And yes, of course it is possible to develop such a strong feeling to another person within a short span. Especially when there are external 'obstacles' around. Haven't you got any memories of moments which were so beautiful (or painful) that they burned themselves into your memory forever although they lasted only seconds? Yes? Well, same thing.
P.P.S. I never married either ;-)

Regards,

A man builds. A parasite asks "Where is my share?" - Andrew Ryan

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I have been having trouble with this film for over 15 years. It was great to look on paper. But it was pure seduction out of lust and borderline rape. It was clear from the source material. Romantisizing rape, maybe too strong words, is my issue with the film.

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