Directed By: Roger Vadim 

Written By: Roger Vadim and R. Levy 

Cinematography: Armand Thirard 

Editor: Victoria Mercanton

Cast: Brigitte Bardot, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Curd Jurgens, Jeanne Markel, Jean Tissier, Isabelle Corey 

Juliette Hardy is sexual dynamite and has the men of a French coastal town panting. But Antoine, the only man who affects her likewise, wouldn’t dream of settling down with a woman his friends consider the town tramp. While Antoine’s away, his younger brother Michel, who worships Juliette, proposes to her. But what will happen when Antoine returns?

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I saw the remake or reimagining from the 1990s first Which seemed to Focus more on Sex scenes and what the director Roger Vadim (who directed both the original and the

Remake) could get away with In The new modern age of cinema at the times. Which seems to be what both versions of heartbeats are.

Roger Vadim has always been interested in presenting the image of beautiful women on screen and more carnal delights. As  A provocateur in artistic clothing. As a Frenchman also more interested in relationships and characters rather than necessarily plot lines. Creates more of a mood and atmosphere in his films as well As style than anything of deeper substance.

Here he makes the film all about the beauty of Brigitte Bardot which helped make her a star but also limited her to a degree.  Making her a bombshell but especially more foreign gem export, at the time. Never truly let her acting talent come through and thus she never really got a chance to prove herself and was stuck more as an image and star. To be ogled, etched, adored, lusted after but never given anything deeper. As you want to possess and protect without knowing much about her.

Though the film through its critics and characters shows that there can never be a female character. Who is beautiful and her every action or decision not judged and a bunch of people talking or telling what she should be or should be doing. Everyone has an opinion about their relationship and their behavior.

She is a Symbol of unattainable beauty that men want by their side and women want to be. 

It shows a changing moral code in a more innocent time. That showcases desire amongst the other things going on in the character’s lives. Every decision is questioned and Idealized 

Women of beauty but never actually Considered for their other qualities. Who is Commonly Used and Judged. When their lifestyles and so-called attitudes don’t match the refinement they are expected to have. In other words when they show any traces of being human or normal.

The film offers Elegance but at times has a revealing peek-a-boo quality.

What might have once been seen as racy comes across as tame or classic like boudoir photos for couples. Luckily the film is not as exploitive as expected by the poster or reputation.

As Though Bardot’s character can’t be with the one she wants. she agrees to a marriage of convenience to truthfully a rebound relationship with a man who does love her and seems to pay the price. Only for her to stay and seemingly to stay in his life. Her behavior is troubling to many in his family.

Though she has many suitors and many men who desire her. It’s also about values, especially of character. As the rich man whom she Talks to, he has the power and means to give her what she wants and he truly only desires her more when she resists and thinks she is considering it. She knows he only wants her truly for her beauty and to have her just as he wants the shipyard that her husband owns. 

Though her husband might not be Rich. he truly loves her and wants to make her happy. He appreciates her for who she is, who she knows she can control. Once her old lover his brother comes back the only man she has ever truly loved and has feelings for. she keeps flirting and tries to seduce him more throwing her marriage in his face.

As she is a Small Town beauty stuck and weighing the best out of her options. As Everyone is living in the moment. They reveal Themselves to be Broken characters seeming to punish themselves and never think about tomorrow.

The film pushes cinematic rules at the time and conventions. Though she is the main character the film never gives her drive or reason more just a fantasy of certain expectations and given none,  other than beauty and what she can provide.

What I thought going in was that, You’re worth more than a smile and some nice words that Don’t focus on anything more penetrating than your beauty. 

You deserve non-broken promises, Actions, and pampering not to owe or be paid back later 

But done out of caring and love. 

Even her old lover finds her hard to resist.  even though he tries and when he fails jealousy comes with it.  She loves her husband but is weak when it comes to her attraction to his brother who consistently disrespects her to others.

She seeks to not be so lonely all the time, Though shows a fair amount of glimpses.  

The relationship started before she ever really met him. He had a crush when she was dating his brother.

In the end, everybody gets screwed and the only honest character seems to be her husband 

Having to deal with the repercussions of her actions. As Every decision is judged.

No matter what she does or carries herself. As it is seen as lustful by other men and shameless by other women.

If he can’t have her or truly control Her, no one can as he almost kills his brother over her and then in the end. When she chooses to dance and have fun. He views it as disrespectful and wants to kill her even as he is seen as the romantic one. 

They Make each other crazy, though it is seen as romantic when he slaps her as he is taking control and she has seen how much she believes he loves her by almost shooting her. 

Even the man who desires her eventually is scared of her power but also has the overview to see everyone’s true emotions. Knowing it will come to an explosion eventually. He steps in to defuse the situation but pays for it violently. 

This is a movie to talk about more than necessarily watch and praise what is on screen. Though you just see it to see how it is presented and the subjects that come up. 

Maybe people back in the past felt the way the modern version plays. A wolf in sheep’s clothing meaning it tries to have artistic resonance and show at the time the vhs gong sexual attitude and more open nature of European films and relationships. Not necessarily show sex scenes but plenty of titillation and many excuses to show a bouncing Bardot in risqué states of undress and tight clothing as well as an open sexual attitude and willingness.

This film also seems to be almost a tribute to the beauty of Ms. Bardot and writing a film around her and maybe the filmmaker’s obsession with her made it into drama. 

Grade: B