“A Sad and Beautiful World” is, in a simple sense, a love story. But it would be reductionist to solely call it that. What is it, then?
A romantic comedy? A dramatic romantic comedy? A drama that is both romantic and funny?
Nino and Yasmina’s love story spans 30 years and follows them as they try to build a happy life together in a Beirut that is falling apart. They first meet as two children causing a ruckus in their school classroom. They are made to stand by the teacher and face the wall as punishment, glancing over and giving each other one of those looks that told you there was a connection between the two characters. That connection would be borne out as the two became close friends who had a special place that they’d go to hang out and tell each other secrets. Neither had an easy childhood, and they appear to function as each other’s refuge from those difficulties. Yasmina eventually moves away, breaking the connection that they had. Or so the viewer thinks.
Years later, the two meet again under seemingly inauspicious circumstances. Nino works as a chef in his family’s restaurant, and chaos seems to follow him wherever he goes. Yasmina, on the other hand, occupies some unspecified position as a high-level executive and has a life that runs more smoothly. The film clearly makes an effort to convey the direct and indirect chaos of Nino’s life, both visually and situationally: in his busy restaurant kitchen, in a wreck that he had, in a fight that took place at his restaurant, in the life of a restaurant frequent who had stacks and stacks of books on his desk. Every fiber of his being carried an urgency that Yasmina eventually finds intoxicating. As someone who grew up to be more straight-laced, she benefitted from Nino’s ability to loosen up and have fun. The film often shows the two of them running somewhere together, emulating Nino’s fast-paced life. That his mood toward being alive seems to carry the relationship’s overall energy is significant, given that she has wafted in and out of his life more than once.
But everything wasn’t all fun and games, though. As Beirut sinks deeper into its own chaos, Nino and Yasmina must decide if they will stay in the city to build a family together. As the situation in Beirut gets more desperate, many are making the decision to leave, as the chaotic scene at the passport gate shows. The decision isn’t as cut and dry for these two. Among the issues with them simply leaving is Nino’s ownership of the family restaurant; what would happen if he were to leave and go to another country? And both Nino and Yasmina have family in Beirut; are they willing to leave them behind in search of a better life for themselves? There is also the fact of Beirut being their home; are they willing to leave everything that they know behind because of its potential for insolvency? Some of these are issues that many seeking to leave their home must contend with: the desire to better one’s own life by leaving versus the desire to remain in place and put one’s family commitments ahead of personal ambitions. There is always a tradeoff made in this situation. It is impossible to fully get what you want.
At the heart of “A Sad and Beautiful World” is love amidst instability. You’re never promised a happy ending, and you might not have a seamless journey, but you will give yourself the best possible shot at happiness if you are willing to be vulnerable and you’re willing to take risks. Beirut’s history has been the epitome of “sad and beautiful”, and Nino & Yasmina’s love story is, as well.
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