any ideas about this quote?


When he finally can admit to her that he loves her, Major Delaplane tells Irène de Courtil, "Life is badly made."

Can anyone tell me if this is a famous quote from an author? Victor Hugo perhaps? Something that has a historic significance?

Thanks.

"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever."
--Anonymous

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An answer, more than two years later, will perhaps be a silly thing but who cares ? As a great admirer of this wonderful movie as well as an enthusiastic "hugolian", I just had to do it.

Well, I don't see any possible historical or litterary quote in Dellaplane's words. "Life is badly made" is a very usual expression in French (I speak French myself, as you certainly guessed through my poor attempt of English !)
However, there's a litterary quote hidden in the movie tittle, something Bertrand Tavernier explained in an interview : "Happiness and nothing but" comes from a poem of Paul Eluard and Jean Cosmos, the screenwriter of the movie, rightly thinking that "happiness" would be too much for such a story, choiced to celebrate "Life" with this twisted quote "Life and nothing but" - the final movie's title.

Here's the original quote from Eluard, just for the pleasure to share :

"Il ne faut pas de tout pour faire un monde. Il faut du bonheur et rien d'autre."

I wish you all the best ! ^_^




"Don't act, be !" (Kate Winslet)

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thanks for your reply!

i figured that it might be a common french saying, but wanted to know for certain.

thanks thanks thanks for the line from eluard's poem too - i make it as "Everything is not needed to make the world. The need is happiness and nothing other..."

btw, your english is much better than my french!

keep smiling!

"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever."
--Anonymous

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It was my pleasure, I'm truly delighted to know that my answer was useful to you in some way or other !

You know, I don't write or answer often, even if I adore this Ali-Baba-cavern's site, but it's always a joy to read anything from a true cinema lover - the way I guess you must be.

Your translation of Eluard's quote is perfect, by the way !
French or English or any other language, it doesn't matter for enthusiastic people : that's why passions are wonderful, for they will always be a kind of international language. I love the idea... it must be this huge romantic part of me speaking !

Keep smiling too, the way you just made me smile with your kind answer ! ^_^

Best wishes




"Don't act, be !" (Kate Winslet)

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