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 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
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 ! ^_^