Cléo from 5 to 7

So much of the film is perfect alignment or beautiful discord. She descends the staircase on footsteps in perfect rhythm with the score. The framed balance of the final scenes and the chance encounter and the timing of friends arriving shows the world aligning for her, supporting her. She carelessly drags her scarf as she stumbles into unexpected nature. The myriad mirrors in the shop and the jumbled overheard conversations in the cafe and the impulsive merry-go-round bus ride and the grotesque street performers show the world as constantly breaking and folding in upon itself. And Cléo finds her happiness from learning to accept both, woven together as she walks. It reminds me of my best walks.

Good things come to those who go for a walk.

Varda studied photography prior to filmmaking and it shows in the gorgeous framing and visuals throughout the film. The multi-layered mirrors in the shop were mesmerizing. The perfect framing and long shot of the couple leaving the park was decadent. It made me want to pick up a camera and go outside.

It appealed to my voyeuristic soul. I am forever listening in on the floating conversations of the tables around me, and this channeled that pleasure onto screen.