Les Jolies choses
2001 Drama
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Credits
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Summary
Although they look so alike, Lucie and her twin sister Marie are polar
opposites. Whereas Marie is introverted, restrained and
intelligent, Lucie is outgoing and impulsive. Lucie wants to
pursue a career as a singer, but she has no talent. Marie,
however, has a remarkable singing voice. After a concert in which
Marie takes her place, Lucie commits suicide. Without a moment’s
hesitation, Marie decides that she will become her sister, swapping her
dull life for Lucie's...
Review
Les Jolies choses is the
second screen adaptation of a novel by Virginie Despentes - following
her controversial 2000 film Baise-moi. The film marks
the directorial debut of Gilles Paquet-Brenner and features Marion
Cotillard - who would later win an Academy Award for her portrayal of
Edith Piaf in La Môme (2007) - in a
demanding double role. Cotillard’s tortured performance is just about the only thing going for this film, which offers the most clichéd view of the show biz world. The awkward mise-en-scène and cinematography have the character of an ugly pop video and do little to disguise the painful implausibility and vacuity of the narrative. The presence of so many celebrity figures in the cast - Stomy Bugsy, Patrick Bruel, Titoff and Ophélie Winter - looks more like a cynical marketing ploy than a serious attempt to capture some real talent. © James Travers 2008 Write a review for this film... |
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