Days of Happiness” (French: Les jours heureux) is a 2023 Canada drama film written and directed by Chloé Robichaud. It follows Emma, played by Sophie Desmarais, an accomplished orchestra conductor dealing with multifaceted personal and work relationships. She struggles with a dysfunctional relationship with her father and agent Patrick (Sylvain Marcel) while also pursuing a new romance with Naëlle (Nour Belkhiria), a cellist and a single mother. As Emma ponders over the offer of a lifelike career, she must balance these relationships to resolve her future course of action.
Cast Highlights:
- Sophie Desmarais (Emma): Desmarais delivers a compelling performance as Emma, capturing the character’s internal struggles and growth. Her portrayal has been praised for its depth and authenticity. Desmarais is known for her work in films like “Sarah Prefers to Run” and “The Auction.”
- Sylvain Marcel (Patrick): Marcel embodies the role of Emma’s father and agent, whose controlling nature adds tension to the narrative. Marcel’s filmography includes “Starbuck” and “The Mirage.”
- Nour Belkhiria (Naëlle): Belkhiria plays Naëlle, whose relationship with Emma introduces new emotional dimensions to the story. Belkhiria has been recognized for her performances in “Antigone” and “A Revision.”
Critical Reception:
“Days of Happiness” has received accolades for its storytelling and acting performances with critics remarking of the film talking about the individual’s and the professional’s side as it co-exists with the classical music world, . Alissa Wilkinson from Vox noted that the ”The movie traverses well-known landscape, which is the musician versus their demons but it seems appealing and engaging.”
Cultural Significance:
The movie showcases the intricacies dealing with women in charge in the realm of art, specifically those occupied in orchestral conducting which tends to be male-oriented. It unearths independence, commitment issues to families and the endless desire for happiness, which do connect with people who are too busy juggling with their careers and relationships.
Aesthetic Style and Production Insights:
In fact, Robichaud’s vision is augmented by the cinematography of Ariel Méthot-Bellemare which exhibits both the grace of the orchestra and the softness of some personal touches. The engagement of actual musicians of the Orchestre Metropolitain and creative advice of conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin enhances the portrayal of the orchestral milieu.
Availability:
Canada will be able to stream “Days of Happiness” on Apple TV starting from January 2025.
The availability of the movie might differ around the globe so viewers are directed to check on the services and digital rental platforms that are available in their region.
