Le Beau Serge (1958)

In the heart of France, François Baillou, a man in the grip of tuberculosis, retreats to the familiar confines of his childhood village to weather the winter as part of his healing regimen. Upon his arrival, he is met with a chilling reality; the village, frozen in time, shrouds the metamorphosed lives of its inhabitants. His perception is jolted when he encounters his once inseparable friend, Serge, now a hollow echo of his past self, drowning in alcohol, barely recognizing François through his inebriated haze. Serge, as François discovers, is a man shackled by the weight of unfulfilled dreams and personal tragedies. His aspirations of studying Architecture were stifled when he was forced to surrender to a life of labor as a truck driver, bound by the responsibility of an unplanned pregnancy. The birth of a mongoloid child, who was not destined to survive, marked another blow to Serge's already crumbling world, leading him down the path of spiraling self-destruction. In the midst of this poignant rediscovery, François crosses paths with Marie, a precocious seventeen-year-old with a tarnished reputation. Despite the village's harsh judgement, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her youthful allure. As he navigates this complicated emotional terrain, François finds himself on a mission to salvage his friend from the depths of despair. In 'Le Beau Serge', François' homecoming turns into a journey of unraveling past friendships, confronting harsh realities, and engaging in unexpected relationships. It's a compelling tale of resilience, redemption, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship, set against the backdrop of a timeless French village.

Le Beau Serge is a drama movie featuring Gérard Blain.

Le Beau Serge is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.