Reference to Proust in the Movies

I just watched the movie Little Miss Sunshine. Which is a great little movie. One of the main characters is a Proust Scholar. I am not sure what the connection between Proust and the Movie is but it is the first time I have come across Proust in a movie.

david perrings

Thanks for the recommendation. It's in my Netflix queue but I keep moving it back (that is, I keep moving other movies ahead of it).

Rebecca,

This is a movie where the ending is something else. When the movie starts out it does not seem like much of a comedy at all. But by the end, it is simply brillant.

david

I'm not a movie person, but has anyone seen the 1981 film, Celeste? It is based on Celeste Albaret's exquisite memoir, Monsieur Proust (some would say apologia, but not me) of her years with Proust working as his housekeeper. She is reverent, yes, but earthy and protective - and the relationship between the two is touching.

I haven't seen the movie, but my German friends say it is well worth watching. I do recommend the book.

I haven't seen Celeste, but will now have to try reading Monsieur Proust. I know there have been a couple adaptations of In Search of Lost Time (or parts of it anyway), has anyone seen any of them?

I haven't and would be reluctant to do so - I hate making room for another's set of images in my brain.

But I do hope you enjoy reading Monsieur Proust. Reading that confirmed for me my belief that Proust (the man) had a truly generous nature and genuine love of others. Too often, writers (and certainly my other favorite, Nabokov would fall into this camp) assume the world-weary pose of the misanthrope. I have never felt that from Proust (the writer). I always have the sense that he genuinely loves even the most ridiculous or despicable of his characters.
Sure, he’s a gossip and a master of ridicule – but he also has a rare generosity of spirit. Quite a balance.

Yes I did see the film a few years ago. It ends up to be quite amazing but at first you wonder if you will get through it. It is told from Celeste's point of view entirely and as you probably all know Celeste spent a lot of time waiting, waiting for Proust to wake up, waiting for him to ring the bell so that she could bring him his black coffee or his Vichy water or his poached sole or whatever and that is what we do, we wait with her. The flat at 102 boulevard Haussmann is meticulously recreated and you are there, waiting with Celeste in the kitchen. And then the bell rings and with Celeste we enter into the cork-lined holy of hollies (sp?) where the great catherdral of words is being built...... A film definitely to be seen in the context of the book and then for the Proust lover an indelible experience.

"the great catherdral of words"
very nice

david

Hello everybody,

I'm just reading the last pages of Monsieur Proust, and I strongly recommend it to those of you who've never heard of it. It's full of sensitivity, and each page brings an interesting anecdote which sometimes makes me laugh out loudly. I'm not myself a Proust devotee, but I'm glad to learn here about that 1981 film. I'll ask my neighbour next door who's read la Recherche several times (or at least part of it) if he's aware of it.

I love all the films about Marcel Proust.
Here is some additional information.

---Thibaut Gobry's "La Part Céleste."

This short film, "La Part Céleste."
can be seen now, in French, on Vimeo.
Watch soon, as these links sometimes disappear.
Even if you don't understand French, as a Proustian, you will be moved by this little gem.
https://vimeo.com/47022421.
The last days of Marcel Proust seen by 'the back door.'
Director/Writer: Thibaut Gobry
(from Zorba)

You can write and request to buy a copy (with/without English subtitles.)
http://www.zorbaproduction.com/productions-us/on-the-celestial-side/

---Percy Adlon's "Celeste"

William C. Carter thinks Percy Adlon's "Celeste" is the best film about Proust to date. (Extremely difficult to find.)
Trailer:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hVEjVdLH78

---BBC Two-TV's "102 Boulevard Haussmann"

"102 Boulevard Haussmann" with Alan Bates (written by Alan Bennett). It shows Proust going out in the evening and inviting musicians home to play music.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0440rbq

To find in a library or on Amazon:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0440rbq
Alan Bennett at the BBC - 4-DVD Box Set ("102" is on tape #3)
or
I was able to find a copy in my library:
http://nypl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/19423766052907_the_alan_bennett_collecti...

OR you can also buy a copy:
http://alanbates.com/abarchive/tv/102.html
http://alanbates.com/shop.html

I just joined....and must say how much I admire ReneeGKC's amazing blog on reading Proust. Brava!

Where does one find ReneeGKC's blog on reading Proust?