FilmCriticLalitRao It was in 1968 that famous French actor/director Yves Robert shot "Alexandre Le Bienheureux"/Very Happy Alexander. It is said about Yves Robert that before entering the field of cinema, he had successfully tried his hand at various "Métiers" which have enabled him to faithfully depict working classes in his films. It is precisely his eye for detail which is very much visible in this film. A very happy Alexander is one of his lesser known comedy films which celebrates the virtues of laziness. It is true that laziness has been known since olden times as one of the seven deadly sins. However, Yves Robert makes us believe that even a certain joy can be had if one is able to lead a planned lazy life without bothering to worry about what is happening in the outside world. As a "meaningful" comedy film, 'Alexandre Le Bienheureux' raises a lot of pertinent questions about male/female relationships especially in the context of love and marriage. One of the most important questions raised by this film is whether a partner can leave a union if the relationship is purely based on money. Much of the film concerns a happy farmer Alexander whose life changes for good when his domineering rich wife dies in a car accident. The film also discusses how love can change a person's life. This aspect is depicted through a credible amorous relationship featuring two great actors of French cinema: Philippe Noiret and Marlène Jobert.

jotix100 Alexandre, the owner of a large farm in France, does not enjoy a minute of rest for the long hours he puts tending his fields. He cannot stop because his wife, whom he calls La Grande, has a way of reminding him not to slacken on his duties. Naturally, Alexandre resents this nagging woman to the point that he can well do without her. Even when a neighbor offers him a terrier puppy, he must secure his wife's approval to let the dog come live in the well maintained farm.Alas, relief comes in the way of a fatal accident where not only the wife dies, but also his parents. Left alone to his own devices, Alexandre's erases the chores his wife had assigned him to do on a blackboard, writing "Sleep, sleep, and SLEEP", which he proceeds to do for a solid three days. With the help of his intelligent dog, Alexandre prepares his bedroom as a place where he will survive happily arranging everything he needs and having the dog do the menial errands for the supplies he wants from the village store.It does not take long before his neighbors begin getting worried of the transformation. Not only that, they resent the fact that while they are hard at work, Alexandre is enjoying his fishing and naps. Everything changes when a shapely young woman, Agathe, comes to work at the store. She is intrigued about Alexandre, being a lazy woman herself. It does not take too long before he falls in love with Agathe overhearing about the possibilities of being rich by marrying Alexandre so she can one day be the owner of his property, but she does not take into account that the widower knows what is best for him and his beloved dog.A delightful comedy by Yves Robert who also wrote and collaborated with Pierre Levi-Corti in the adaptation for the screen. The idea of a henpecked man suddenly finding his happiness which ensues after the disappearance of his tyrant wife, lends itself to a joyous movie which even forty some odd years still has the ability to delight audiences. The idea of a lazy farmer is something Alexandre's friends and neighbors cannot compute in their minds. Let alone the envy they all feel about a man who suddenly is fulfilling his life by doing absolutely nothing.Philippe Noiret runs away with his winning take of Alexandre. The actor enjoyed a long career in the French cinema and he proves why everything he did always turned out in natural performances. Mr. Noiret was a man who gave the best of him in films because of the charm he exuded. This Alexandre is one of his best creations. Francoise Brion, as La Grande, makes a case for the domineering woman whose sole job was to nag her man to the point that her untimely death is a relief. The wonderful Marlene Jobert makes an amazing Agathe. She was at the height of her popularity and proved to be an asset in anything she played. Others in the supporting cast were a young Pierre Richard, Jean Carmet and especially, Paul Le Person, as the combative Sanguin.Shot in central France, the impressive cinematography by Rene Mathlin shines in the copy we saw recently. There is a tuneful score by Vladimir Cosma. Director Yves Robert gave the public many fine features, as proved by this delightful work.

giorats One of the most delightful movies I have seen in my life. Alexander fulfills the dreams of us many, i.c. enjoying ourselves without the daily burden of work and trouble. Every time I feel a little moody, Alexander is my first choice of a movie that will make me smile again. The director knows the small details of the human spirit. The struggle of the men's village to bring Alexnader back in line, of else the worlds order will turn into chaos is the daily struggle many of us view daily between our will to be free spirits and the pressure of life. I hope someone will remember this movie and reproduce it in a new version, this time in English.

husseyj I saw this movie in 1967 when it was released, and thought it was wonderful. I've managed to find and buy another French movie (with English subtitles from around the same period of time - sold in the U.S.) but after having found "Alexander" and searching the Internet for a U.S. seller, I have had no luck. It appears, from what I can tell, that it's never been dubbed in English or has had a version made with English subtitles. I noticed that Amazon.com in France seems to be selling it on DVD (in French) but this would be extremely time consuming - with money conversion and transcontinental red tape, and it would probably be more costly than buying it in the U.S., etc. If someone has any information to the contrary, I would be very interested.