Murmur of the Heart (1971)

Immerse yourself in the vibrant tale of Laurent Chevalier, a 14-year-old boy navigating the tumultuous waters of adolescence in mid-1950s bourgeois Dijon, France. 'Murmur of the Heart' is a captivating coming-of-age story, brimming with the sort of escapades that would shatter the contemporary American teenager yet paints a strangely innocent picture of Laurent's world. Laurent's life is a carousel of experiences, from the thrills of underage drinking and smoking to the unsettling advances of a priest. He contracts rheumatic fever, encounters love in its rawest form, and is swept up in a whirlwind of familial dynamics. The youngest in his family, he oscillates between the extremes of being smothered by his mother, Clara, and being disregarded by his father. His older brothers, his guides in this maze of adolescence, introduce him to the intoxicating world of clubs and brothels. Here, amidst the smoke-filled rooms of forbidden pleasures, Laurent crosses the threshold into manhood. The complexity of his journey intensifies when he and his mother embark on a holiday, leading to unexpected revelations and a deeper understanding of life's intricacies. 'Murmur of the Heart' is a rich tapestry of scandalous behavior, enough to fill a hundred made-for-TV movies, yet it remains an oddly happy and innocent tale. This is not just a story of growing up; it's a snapshot of a time and place where societal norms were different, and the path to adulthood was paved with experiences both thrilling and harrowing. Dive into Laurent's world, and witness the symphony of life as seen through the eyes of a boy teetering on the brink of manhood.

Murmur of the Heart is a comedy movie featuring Lea Massari and directed by Louis Malle.

Murmur of the Heart is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.