Really good film

Shot in black and white to convey a time that is past, though the issues remain present, Kaurismaki translates well Henri Murger's story to the screen. I saw the opera La Boheme once and found it very maudlin. Kaurismaki mixes the maudlin with the wry and witty to deliver a well-rounded film. Featuring cameos from Jean-Pierre Leaud and directors Samuel Fuller and Louis Malle, the film is set in Paris and concerns three artists struggling to remain artists and survive financially. Marcel Max (played by the wonderful Andre Wilms) is a writer, Schaunard is a composer and pianist and Rodolfo is a painter from Albania.

The film is very watchable and features distinctive Kaurismaki touches, notably in the use of music.

Movement ends, intent continues;
Intent ends, spirit continues