Gemma Bovery: Baguettes and Bovarys

So, I finally got around to watching *Gemma Bovery*, the film by Anne Fontaine, and man, what a quirky little treat it was! Adapted from Posy Simmonds’ graphic novel, the film features the ever-charismatic Gemma Arterton and the fantastic Fabrice Luchini. I am still not quite sure if I should feel amused or confused, or if I can actually feel both at the same time. You know, it’s like trying to balance a räksmörgås on your lap while catching the train to Malmö.

The movie plays out like a delightful blend between French elegance and English wit—a bit like someone sprinkled dill on your scone. Arterton’s portrayal of Gemma is as nuanced as a piece of Småland ost, both sharp and creamy, if you know what I mean. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent those summers along the Swedish coast imagining what it would be like to walk into a quaint French village and live out an Flaubertian daydream. Kind of like *Madame Bovary* but with an IKEA-inspired twist.

Remembering it, there’s one summer I got obsessed with French breads, much like Luchini’s character and his fixation with Gemma. I spent countless hours trying to bake the perfect baguette—kneading the dough while religiously watching *French Kiss* on repeat. Yeah, Katheline Heigel wasn’t teaching me much about baking, but the atmosphere was right on. This film sorta brought all those yeasty memories back, including the time my friend Björn swore I could use one of my loaves to play brännboll.

But back to the film—can I just say that Luchini is simply masterful at injecting a bit of lovable paranoia into his characters? His obsession with Gemma’s path, literally and literarily, is equally unsettling and charming, like waiting for someone to walk across a frozen lake in February. You’re not sure if they’re gonna make it or just fall through.

It’s a film that doesn’t spoon-feed you moral lessons or neat endings. Instead, it lets you float in ambiguity, kind of like life, where we wander with curiosity and an occasional baguette in hand. If you’re up for a cinematic experience that’s both flavorful and whimsical, give Gemma Bovery a whirl. I mean, pourquoi pas?

Check the trailer below