Some films strike a chord because they make for immensely personal viewing experiences and offer subtle commentary about societal constructs sans much ado. The 2007-released French film Love Songs is a heartfelt romance that leaves behind a lasting impact. The film’s story is extremely simple, about a mid-20s man Ismael coming to terms with the loss of his loved one and how he heals himself emotionally.
As the title suggests, the film is a musical where sequences seamlessly and poetically slip into the song routine – the minor squabbles between partners, passionate discussions, pain and love reflect in these 14 odd-numbers that adorn the 90-minute long film. Firstly, Love Songs normalises a three-way relationship without any fuss; Julie, the partner of the male protagonist says the man and the third person (a woman) are equally integral to the relationship. There are no labels given to the woman, she’s neither named a heterosexual nor a bisexual.
The parents of Julie are naturally scandalised about a couple inviting a third person into the relationship but don’t interfere in their decisions beyond a point. Ismael trying to deal with the unfortunate event indulges in flings with multiple women and ends up loving a man. Here too, his sexuality takes a backseat. The filmmaker Christophe Honoré truly lives up to the statement that love transcends all barriers.
In ironical times where Indian films are preferring song-less narratives and filmmakers are becoming highly unimaginative with song placement, it takes a French musical to help us realise how music can be a lifeline of a narrative. Interestingly, all the songs in the film are sung by its lead actors Louis Garrel, Ludivine Sagnier, Clotilde Hesme and Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet. Watch it with an open mind and be ready for a surprise!
(Love Songs is streaming on MUBI)
