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Tuesday, 26 February 2008 |
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Director: Xavier Giannoli France 2006 112 mins (subtitles)
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| Starring: Gerard Depardieu, Cecile de France
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A big hit in
France
in this tale of an ageing crooner and lothario, the film was the recipient of several awards and nominations in 2007. Depardieu excels as Alain, a provincial dance hall singer who still has an eye for and is attractive to younger women. Still on good terms with his ex-wife and manager despite their exasperation at his wayward behaviour, he mulls along singing to middle aged women who come to dance to the old songs. When he spots Marian, an estate agent, one night across the dance floor he becomes infatuated and they fall into bed together. She is trying to rebuild her life after a messy divorce and regrets sleeping with him but he pursues her relentlessly and gradually a tentative friendship develops. As they look for possible houses for Alain, they begin to look at the options the future may hold for them and difficult decisions have to be made about the risks both may need to take in order to achieve happiness together. The chemistry between the lead characters is palpable and the music enjoyable in a film that avoids sentimentality in its dignified treatment of human relationships.
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