Set in the spring of 1967, L'Áge d'Or follows Sebastian, a down-on-his-luck producer who travels to Paris and meets Angele ... the woman who will change his life forever. While getting to know her, Sebastion learns that Angele is an actress for a local theater, and soon a partnership forms between the two artists. The film really begins to shine in these opening scenes, where the two walk and talk around the streets of Paris. The characters are framed in several wide tracking shots that not only capture the connection and chemistry between these two actors, but their budding connection to the city itself. The warm, golden tone of the backgrounds they stroll through, create almost an angelic halo effect, looming brightly over their courtship.
As the story progresses, they travel to a small village in the South of France to begin work on what will be their grand opus. A musical combining both of their talents as well as a shared desire to change the world. This village where their relationship grows is Saint-Tropez, and it is quickly made clear that the director has just as much love for this region as she does Paris. The exteriors and landscapes in this area add a subtler beauty than that of the big city, but one that feels more of a home for these characters as their bond is further cemented.
In the end, L'Áge d'Or is a story of two artistic soulmates who try their best to change their world in some small way. But what stayed with me the most, was how the visual splendor of the world around them in both Paris and Saint-Tropez, truly changed them.