Jackie seemed to have wanted to highlight this type of story, this type of backdrop, his choice of supporting actors/actresses, and his choice of music. He tried real hard on this movie. Ask Mr. Kelly, he will tell you.
According to the history of the movie I have learned...he blew out the films' budget by totally rebuilding many of the streets of the small town it was filmed, by BUILDING the church, by using a 60plus piece orchestra rather than a smaller one (look at the Oscar nomination)...all to make the mood he felt was important to convey to the audience. It was not set in post WW2 France (more like post WW1)...but that was the mindset that he wanted us to envision. It was easy to get this in 1963.
I feel the tones projected by each of the characters was of the appropriate intensity (look at the bistro scene, for example)...but it was up to each viewer to "buy it". Certainly the backdrops and the music score were convincing. As for the ending...what do we want? The lives for all of the characters had to go on (and without unusual fanfare) like real life. Want more of this stuff???? See Soldier in the Rain. "Ya know Maxwell, it's hard to be an overweight narcissist...."
According to the history of the movie I have learned...he blew out the films' budget by totally rebuilding many of the streets of the small town it was filmed, by BUILDING the church, by using a 60plus piece orchestra rather than a smaller one (look at the Oscar nomination)...all to make the mood he felt was important to convey to the audience. It was not set in post WW2 France (more like post WW1)...but that was the mindset that he wanted us to envision. It was easy to get this in 1963.
I feel the tones projected by each of the characters was of the appropriate intensity (look at the bistro scene, for example)...but it was up to each viewer to "buy it". Certainly the backdrops and the music score were convincing. As for the ending...what do we want? The lives for all of the characters had to go on (and without unusual fanfare) like real life. Want more of this stuff???? See Soldier in the Rain. "Ya know Maxwell, it's hard to be an overweight narcissist...."