MovieChat Forums > Le souffle au coeur (1971) Discussion > This movie is NOT about incest!

This movie is NOT about incest!

posted 14 years ago by trivial_matt
11 replies | jump to latest

I can't stand people who only discuss the incest aspect of Le Souffle au coeur. This isn't the main theme of the movie, and it's not the reason it should be watched. The incest is only a small part in the movie, and is more a metaphor than a real plot point: it was just a way to show his sexual awakening.

When I think about this movie, what comes to mind is Laurent sick and his mother dressed up in a costume, playing the guitar and singing to him. That was a beautiful scene, and really shows how much they love each other.

And there's so much more about it that could be discussed rather than that. It's about growing up, about the passion for arts and about how hard it is for a young kid become mature; the first loves, the lost of inocence (and not only in THAT scene) and (that's right!) of how a kid must get out of the shadow of his own Oedipus complex (in this movie, through a cartasis) and live his own sexuality.

[–] maxipenz 14 years ago

StuntmanMatheus is right .. but still, the little rascal sleeps with his mother ... what do you call that??

[–] trivial_matt 14 years ago

I call that "incest". And I don't call "incest" the major theme of the movie. Would you say that First Blood is a movie about a guy looking for a place to eat?

Freddy Krueger without Robert Englund is like a unicorn without a horn.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Blitzerg 13 years ago

yeah it was pretty messed up that THAT actually happened haha. but it really didnt change my overall opinion of the film. when that scene was on i was like, "is this really happening?" but oh well. it was a pretty damn good movie. i gave it an 8. an 8.5 on a more solid scale.

If you do good, you'll see me one more time. If you do bad, you'll see me.. two more times.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] bruce73 13 years ago

I was a little more freaked by how casual the mom treated the whole thing afterwards. But that's the French for ya ...

[–] jhb-4 13 years ago

If you paid attention you would have heard it said in the film that the mother was Italian.

One thing's for sure. Most of the "upset" caused by this film is only "upsetting" to Americans. Can we really be sooooooooo naive??? Answer: YES!!!

[–] sthm 10 years ago

well said

[–] Steve_2 13 years ago

It's about growing up

Yes, I agree.

[–] brewpub420 10 years ago

I submit that that is simply an interpretation. Your interpretation. And much like opinions we all have our own. That's the nice part about freedom. However when someone tries to impose their view on others or tries to talk town to them because they don't share their own view...well that's a bully and an *beep* Any one else can watch the same movie as you at the same time in the same place and take away from it a very different experience. And that is what is wonderful about art in it's many forms. So close your mouth and try to open your mind a bit sometime. I mean their really is no good excuse to go through life as a *beep* sipping arrogant ignorant judgmental *beep* is there? You can change , give it a try. That or kill yourself and save us the time. See , differences of how we view things. I see you that way but your puppy you kick every day still thinks you are the greatest thing that ever was.

[–] mrjeelsfan 9 years ago

I understand what you are reacting too, the type of person who goes incest and thinks there can be no good. However, you appear to be going too far the other way. From practically scene one the movie is given an Oedipus theme. The incestual nature of the film is very important (you even briefly mention it in your list of things it is about). To dismiss the nature of incest would be to dismiss a key theme of the film.