Watch Maison du Bonheur

Maison du Bonheur is a heartwarming documentary from 2017 that follows the life of 77-year-old Parisian Madame Lise, who has been running a small apartment in the heart of Paris as a place for readings and meetings for over 50 years. The film captures Madame Lise's daily life, her routines and rituals, as well as her interactions with her visitors and tenants.

Madame Lise’s apartment, La Maison du Bonheur (The House of Happiness), is a cozy and welcoming place where guests are treated with warmth and care. The apartment has become a refuge for artists, writers, students, and other creatives who want to escape the bustle of the city and find respite in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the Maison. Madame Lise, with her kind and gentle nature, is the heart and soul of this intimate space, and the film portrays her in a way that illustrates why so many people are drawn to her.

The documentary gives us an intimate glimpse into Madame Lise's daily life, which is filled with small, yet meaningful moments. We see her getting up early in the morning to start her day, sipping coffee, watering plants, playing the piano, and preparing for the arrival of guests. Throughout the film, she is seen taking care of little things that make a big difference, like arranging flowers, preparing food and tea, and making sure that everyone is comfortable.

The visitors and tenants of La Maison du Bonheur play a significant role in the film. They come from all walks of life and share a connection with Madame Lise, who inspires them with her love of literature and the arts. They are all drawn to the Maison for different reasons. Some come to write, others to learn, while some use it as a place to meditate or create. The film includes interviews with a few of the regulars, who speak candidly about the impact that Madame Lise and the Maison have had on their lives.

The visual style of the documentary is stunning. The filmmakers make great use of the apartment's natural light, which creates beautiful contrasts between the light and the shadows. They focus on small details in Madame Lise’s movements and mannerisms, showing how her gentle character and welcoming demeanor help to create a peaceful oasis in the heart of the bustling city. The film has an overall atmospheric feel that is sophisticated, understated, and mesmerizing.

Manouk Kurdoghlian's music score is set up primarily for the harmonic tones of the piano. The music amplifies the atmosphere of the apartment, and the piano swells as classical music fills the space. The score is suitably unobtrusive and delicately emphasizes the visuals of the film.

The film succeeds in creating a portrait of the charming and delightful Madame Lise, who is an icon in her own right. She is a much-loved character in her neighborhood, and her positive impact shows through the flow of visitors that come to the Maison du Bonheur. As the film progresses, Madame Lise begins to speak more openly about her own life and story, which provides a deeper insight into her character and what motivates her to do what she does.

Overall, Maison du Bonheur is a touching documentary that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired. It celebrates the power of community, friendship, and kindness, and shows how one person's small acts of care and love can make a big impact on the world around them. The Maison du Bonheur itself is as much a character as Madame Lise. It's a living space that breathes and has its own energy. The documentary invites viewers into a beautiful and tranquil world that is full of charm, grace, beauty, and happiness that co-exist in harmony.

Maison du Bonheur is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 78.