News & Events > French film reviews > French film reviews page #2
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French film reviews page #2Coco Avant Chanel August 2009 The captivating film about the renowned Parisian Couturier that was such a hit at the 2009 New Zealand International Film Festival, stars diminutive Audrey Tautou as Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel. It covers the life of the fashion doyenne from her arrival at a French orphanage as a ten year old with her sister Adrienne (Marie Gillian) to her twenties, when through sheer determination and flair she had established her fashion design business. Beautifully filmed with an involving style, the film takes us through her relationships with Etienne Balsan played by Belgian actor Benjamin Poelvoorde and Arthur ‘Boy’ Capal Alessandro Nivola and finishes just before WW1. I would love to see Tautou star in a sequel movie covering the rest of Coco Chanel’s life. 4/5 comment on this movie Séraphine September 2009 Moving story set in the early 20th century, about the later life of French Naïve painter Séraphine de Senlis (Yoland Moreau). The poor, hardworking housekeeper is discovered and encouraged by German art collector Wilhelm Uhde (Ullrich Tukur) when she comes to clean for him, during his stay in the little rural town of Senlis, not far from Paris. The artist creates her own paints and is driven to create her nature based works of art, by voices in her head. The film reminds you there were female artists in the early 20th Century. 4.5/5 comment on this movie Summer Hours January 2010 A story tinged with sadness, taking us from a family birthday gathering for matriarch, Helene’s (Edith Scob) at her home and rambling garden in the French countryside to her death and dealing with her estate – the property, collectable art, furniture and object d’art left to her by her artist uncle. Practicality is the order of the day for siblings Juliette Binoche,- Adrienne a New York designer, Charles Berling – Frederick, Economist and University Professor in Paris, Jeremie Renier – businessman in China. But there’s a wistful ending as a teenage granddaughter remembers her grandmother’s words. 4/5 comment on this movie Bellamy French Film Festival Auckland 10 – 18 February, 2010 Police Superintendent, Paul Bellamy (Gerard Depardieu) solves a case sharing its progress with his wife Francoise (Marie Bunel) as he slowly unravels details, while aspects of his own life unfold along the way. Set in Nimes, where the couple is on holiday, the clever tale flickers with uncertainty – from the couple’s relationship and the unpredictability of his badly behaved half-brother, to the case itself – was it murder?. Like the best of French films, it’s up close and personal sharing simple everyday events like coffee being served and Bellamy shaving. 4/5 comment on this movie Every Jack has a Jill (Jusqu’ à toi) A lost red suitcase unites pretty off-beat, French Chloé, (Melainie Laurent) who lives alone in Paris, with American Jack (Justin Bartha), when he wins a trip to Paris. In a mixture of French and English, involving various friends, family, work mates and neighbours, this delightful love story will make you chuckle. 4/5 comment on this movie April 2010 Leaving (Partir) Set in the south of France, passion soars above all else in this love story starring the superb Kristin Scott Thomas as Suzanne. When the married well-to-do mother of two meets, falls in love and runs away with Spanish builder (Sergi Lopez), financial implications and the effect on her children are the last things on her mind. Coupled with the chilling reaction of her husband, beautifully played by Yvan Attal, quality performances all around make this well worth watching, even though the plot is a touch unrealistic. 4/5 comment on this movie April 2010 Tell No One (Ne le dis à personne) This action packed thriller draws together a variety of people and events to solve a murder which occurred eight years previously. Francois Cluzet is pediatrician Alex Beck, suspected of killing his wife Marie-Josie Croze (Margot Beck). When she emails him eight years after her death, the search for the truth is on. Excellent, often gripping fast paced plot, which leaves you guessing till the end, also stars Kristin Scott Thomas and Marina Hands. 4.5/5 comment on this movie May 2010 The Hedgehog ('Le Herrison') A gentle tale catching the essence of the book (The Elegance of the Hedgehog) it is based on. Set in Paris, it follows the daily activities of a group of wealthy French residents and their concierge, living in an elegant apartment block. Josiane Balasco is retiring but competant concierge Renee whose well hidden, in-depth knowledge of literature and the arts, is uncovered by gracious widower, Togo Iqawa as Kakuro Ozu when he becomes a resident. Also part of the story, is the lead up to a planned suicide of another apartment dweller, lonely bespeckled 11 year Paloma played by Garance Le Guillermic. A touching and smile making delight. 4.5/5 comment on this movie July 2010 Set mainly in Calais, this is a film for our time about the turmoil of illegal immigration. Seventeen year old Bilal (Firat Ayverdi) is a Kurd who arrives in Calais after a nightmare three month trip on foot from Mosul, Iraq. Bilal has made the journey so he can be reunited with his Kurdish girlfriend Mina (Derya Ayverdi) who has moved to England with her family.It appears the only way he can get there is to swim the English Channel. So begins the relationship with former swimming champion Simon Calmet (Vincent Lindon), who puts his own freedom at risk. A story of determination and heartbreak. 4.5/5 comment on this movie |