Cleo from 5 to 7 Review

Director Agnes Varda is one of the few French New Wave directors that I have any interest in. Her flag-bearing for a new form of cinema in the early 1960s led to some fantastic pieces of film that are rightly recognised as tremendously important. Cleo from 5 to 7 is perhaps her most recognisable work, following the titular character throughout a mere two hours of her life. It was my entry into her work, and although I’ve not taken the time to delve any deeper into her work just yet, Cleo from 5 to 7 has certainly convinced me fully that it’ll be a worthwhile expedition.

Much of her style and presentation captures that iconography of new wave Parisian culture. The cafés, artistry and free-flowing spirits on display, coming and going in and out of frame as they please make for a beautifully detailed and rich backdrop. Our titular Cleo (Corinne Marchand) has nothing but worries and lingering thoughts. Darkness creeps into her mind at almost every avenue, and Cleo from 5 to 7 looks to document such thoughts as we take a dive into a day in the life of Florence “Cleo” Victorie. Marchand’s performance is stunning, a feverishly memorable piece that blurs acting and reacting with charm and delight. It’d be easy to assume Cleo is plucked right from the streets of Paris, she identifies with just about every cliché to come from the representation of women in New Wave genre films.

But the depth within the character of Cleo comes not from her representation of all things Paris, but of her depthful personality and intricate character. Varda’s direction compliments the surrounding area with extraordinary respect, and Cleo is a part of that respect for France. Cleo’s actions and stability hang in the balance for much of the film, it creates an unpredictable setlist of events and scenarios. This hoggish character takes up most of the screen time, and sadly there’s really no room for supporting players, but while it is a shame that we don’t see more of Antoine Bourseiller or Dominique Davray, they provide exceptional work that allows for Marchand to build upon.

Cleo from 5 to 7 will hopefully be remembered for years to come. It’s certainly worth remembering. An uncanny, brash insight into Parisian culture through the eyes of a woman that would become crucial to the craft of film. Varda’s direction is strong, and in turn, these technical merits transfer themselves to the creation of engaging characters, unique dialogue and an inarguably important document from the midst of a cultural revolution.