Film Review
With his third and best film to date, director Xavier Giannoli continues to
pick up plaudits from the critics and is fast gaining a reputation as
one of France's most promising young filmmakers. Although
possibly less interesting than his previous
Les corps impatient (2003) and
Une aventure (2005),
Quand j'étais chanteur is a
well-realised depiction of a romance across the generation gap,
convincingly portrayed by Gérard Depardieu and Cécile De
France, well-written and stylishly directed.
Fans of the great Gérard Depardieu - of whom there are legion -
will be delighted to see the actor crooning the many songs in this film
entirely undubbed, and doing
quite a respectable job of it. It may only be a matter of time
before Depardieu embarks on a new career as a singer....
Cécile De France is no less impressive and is perfectly cast in
the part of a fragile young woman who, with one one failed relationship
under her belt, seems unwilling and unable to make a fresh start.
It is her moving on-screen rapport with Depardieu that makes this film
so poignant and so memorable.
© James Travers 2009
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Xavier Giannoli film:
À l'origine (2009)
Film Synopsis
Alain Moreau is a singer in his fifties who earns a modest crust by performing
at private functions and lonely heart clubs in his home town, Clermont-Ferrand.
One evening, a friend of his, an estate agent named Bruno, introduces him
to his colleagues, who include Marion, a woman in her late twenties.
Instantly drawn to Marion, Alain is surprised to learn that she is a single
mother who, despite her full-time job, manages to bring up a six-year-old
child by herself. Alain and Marion seem to have much in common - both
are solitary individuals who are drifting through life with no clear objective
in sight. They spend the night together, but the next day Marion leaves
without saying a word. When Alain sees her again, she insists that
she is not looking for a relationship. Realising that Marion needs
him as much as he needs her, Alain continues to see her by posing as a house
hunter...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.