Analysis: Confession of a Child of the Century — Philosophy in Film
Sylvie Verheyde’s 2012 film, Confession of a Child of the Century, based on Alfred de Musset’s 1836 semi-autobiographical novel, tells the tragic love story of Octave and Brigitte set in 19 thCentury France. Octave, a young aristocrat and self-described libertine played by English musician Pete Doherty, falls in love with an older widow, Brigitte, played by Charlotte Gainsbourg. Having been left by his fiancé at the beginning of the film, Octave obsessively pursues Brigitte, eventually convincing her that his love for her is genuine, and not merely a defect of his youth, as she initially believes. Brigitte is more reticent of this new relationship, and spurns Octave’s advances, before eventually giving in to her feelings for him.
However, the relationship turns sour as a result of their melancholic nature, Octave’s affinity for partying, and Brigitte’s interest in another man. The characters, particularly Octave, seem to embrace without question the belief that life is inherently meaningless, however they throw themselves completely into their romantic relationship as the only beacon of hope. Love and the associated emotions are all that give life meaning for Octave and Brigitte. But as the film purports, love is transitory, even illusory, therefore life is still fundamentally meaningless to the characters. When love is lost, or…
