Movies: Days of Happiness (2023) by Chloé Robichaud: Love, Art, and the Cost of Breaking Free
- dailyentertainment95
- Sep 11
- 4 min read
A Conductor at the Crossroads
Days of Happiness (Les Jours heureux) is a character-driven drama about Emma, a rising orchestral conductor navigating her artistic ambition and personal liberation. On the verge of a major career breakthrough, Emma is caught between three intense relationships that shape her identity:
Her father/agent Patrick, a controlling figure whose suffocating involvement in her career forces her to question his influence.
Her girlfriend Naëlle, with whom she shares tender yet complex intimacy that challenges Emma’s emotional openness.
The orchestra she leads, a demanding professional family where Emma must assert her authority as one of the few women in a male-dominated field.
Set in the high-pressure world of classical music, the film explores whether Emma can find her own voice — musically and personally — without losing herself in the expectations of others.
Why to Recommend This Film: Powerful, Emotional Character Study
Why to watch this movie:
Sophie Desmarais’s commanding performance — As Emma, she delivers one of the year’s most nuanced portrayals, capturing vulnerability and quiet strength.
Robichaud’s intimate direction — The director frames Emma’s inner world with elegance, blending music and emotion to immerse the viewer.
Queer representation — Presents a same-sex romance with complexity and tenderness, avoiding stereotypes.
Rare portrait of a conductor — Offers a rare, authentic look into the pressures of women breaking ground in the classical music world.
Canadian cinematic voice — A major contribution to Quebec cinema, praised for its emotional intelligence and universal resonance.
Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/les-jours-heureux (Spain), https://www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Happiness-Chlo%C3%A9-Robichaud/dp/B0FLL2HYWT/ (UK)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19860724/
What is the Trend Followed: Women’s Voices in Creative Professions
Art-world dramas with female leads — Aligns with recent films like Tár and Portrait of a Lady on Fire that explore women navigating power, creativity, and identity.
Nuanced queer storytelling — Part of a growing wave of LGBTQ+ dramas that center intimacy and self-realization rather than tragedy.
Intersection of art and autonomy — Captures the moment where professional ambition and personal life collide, reflecting generational themes of self-definition.
Director’s Vision: Orchestration of the Soul
Chloé Robichaud’s precision — Known for her character-focused filmmaking, Robichaud uses deliberate pacing and visual symmetry to mirror Emma’s search for harmony.
Music as emotional driver — Conducting scenes are filmed with real musicians, emphasizing physicality and the electrifying connection between artist and orchestra.
Psychological realism — Robichaud avoids melodrama, choosing to explore Emma’s transformation through quiet, cumulative moments.
Themes: Power, Control, and Self-Discovery
Father-daughter dynamic — Explores the line between mentorship and manipulation, and how parental control can hinder adult independence.
Breaking cycles — Emma must confront generational patterns to choose a healthier future.
Art as identity — Her music becomes both escape and battleground, reflecting her inner struggles.
Love as liberation — Naëlle offers Emma the possibility of connection that transcends professional and family control.
Key Success Factors: Performance, Craft, and Emotional Honesty
Award-worthy central performance — Sophie Desmarais carries the film with subtlety, physical presence, and emotional range.
Rich cinematography — Intimate camerawork places viewers in Emma’s perspective, creating a symphony of tension and release.
Authentic music sequences — The conducting scenes are dynamic and realistic, lending credibility to Emma’s journey.
Quietly powerful writing — Robichaud’s script balances restraint and emotional depth, creating a compelling, character-driven drama.
Awards & Recognition
Festival premiere: 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it was praised for its performances and direction.
Quebec cinema accolades: Received multiple nominations at Canadian Screen Awards and Quebec’s Prix Iris, particularly for Best Actress and Best Screenplay.
Recognized as one of the year’s standout Canadian films, celebrated for its emotional resonance and portrayal of a complex female protagonist.
Critics Reception: Symphonic and Sublime
Critics hailed it as a deeply felt portrait of a woman claiming her autonomy, comparing its psychological depth to Tár but with a more tender, intimate approach.
Reviews emphasized its quietly powerful climax, emotional catharsis, and strong sense of place within Quebec cinema.
Some critics noted its slow pace, but most agreed it served the meditative, internal journey of its protagonist.
Reviews: Elegant and Resonant
Strengths: Lead performance, nuanced writing, lush cinematography, and authentic portrayal of the music world.
Weaknesses: Pacing may feel deliberate to some viewers looking for heightened drama.
Consensus: A stirring, intelligent character study — one of Canadian cinema’s standout works of 2023.
Movie Trend: Personal Liberation in High-Pressure Careers
Part of a recent trend of films where women navigate the demands of male-dominated professional spaces while forging paths of self-actualization.
Social Trend: Reclaiming Female Autonomy
Reflects broader conversations about toxic mentorship, parental overreach, and the emotional cost of women balancing ambition, identity, and intimate relationships.
Final Verdict: Quiet but Electrifying
Days of Happiness is a refined, heartfelt drama that combines the grandeur of orchestral music with the intimate pain of self-discovery. Chloé Robichaud crafts a moving portrait of a woman learning to step out from under controlling influences and conduct her own life’s symphony. A must-watch for fans of character-driven, emotionally intelligent cinema.
Comments