François (Jean-Claude Drouot), a young carpenter, is happily married to Therese (Claire Drout). They have two charming children and live a seemingly idyllic family life. Everything changes when François falls in love with Émilie. Émilie represents and offers François everything his wife cannot and filled with joy from his new found sense of completeness he finds that his love for his wife and children intensifies. When he shares his feelings with his wife she initially accepts them but the romantic triangle proves unsustainable.

Le Bonheur was the first colour film from Belgian director Agnès Varda. The heightened style of the film’s colour tone and the controversial plot divided Varda followers. The decision to cast the entire Drouot family - husband, wife and children - as the family in the film served to heighten the film’s provocative stance.