Monday Morning Maybe

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Poster for Happiness

Happiness

Seen it?

1965 | 80 min | Drama, Romance

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics. If you loved My Week with Marilyn or Revolutionary Road, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 20 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1965: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Though married to the good-natured, beautiful Thérèse, young husband and father François finds himself falling unquestioningly into an affair with an attractive postal worker. One of Agnès Varda's most provocative films, 'Le bonheur' examines, with a deceptively cheery palette and the spirited strains of Mozart, the ideas of fidelity and happiness in a modern, self-centered world.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    88% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.5 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    Won 1 Berlin award: Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 45K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Agnès Varda

  • Jean-Claude DrouotFrançois Chevalier
  • Claire DrouotThérèse Chevalier
  • Olivier DrouotPierrot Chevalier
  • Sandrine DrouotGisou Chevalier
  • Marie-France BoyerÉmilie Savignard
  • Marcelle Faure-BertinBertin
  • Manon LanclosMrs. Mesquier
  • Sylvia SaurelYvette Mercier
  • Marc EyraudJoseph Chevalier
  • Christian Riehl