LOVE SONGS
(France)
Louie Garrel, Ludivine Sagnier, Chiara Mastroianni,
Yannick Renier, Clotilde Hesme
CineEuropa
Cinema 1, Shang Cineplex
If you are not into films where the characters suddenly burst into song then I suggest you find something else to watch. This French movie tells the story of of 3 young people in Paris who are involved in a complex relationship -a menage a trois.
The characters are endearingly flawed and complicated. Each of them with their own anguished angst to decipher. The songs (all of them in French, of course!) are not intrusive at all. After a while you forget they are actually singing instead of merely talking their lines.
The film's treatment of sensitive themes was dealt in a very mature and dare I say very French/European way. Although the fact that they would sing out their emotions to express themselves to the audience might give it a semblance of lightheartedness, it is still a film which caters to open minded adults. An audience who doesn't get shock easily nor would cringe at certain "taboo" matters. Nor would they seek to be politically correct all the time. The fact that almost everyone smokes in the movie is a case in point. It is just being realistic.
Another thing I noticed in French movies is that not everyone is an actor. I mean since they are shot in the streets of Paris and the area isn't cordoned off, you can see people in the background actually staring at the actors/actresses as they essay their roles.
In essence, the film succeeds in getting its point (however vague it was!)across through a series of musical sequences, realistic visuals and ok acting.
The characters are endearingly flawed and complicated. Each of them with their own anguished angst to decipher. The songs (all of them in French, of course!) are not intrusive at all. After a while you forget they are actually singing instead of merely talking their lines.
The film's treatment of sensitive themes was dealt in a very mature and dare I say very French/European way. Although the fact that they would sing out their emotions to express themselves to the audience might give it a semblance of lightheartedness, it is still a film which caters to open minded adults. An audience who doesn't get shock easily nor would cringe at certain "taboo" matters. Nor would they seek to be politically correct all the time. The fact that almost everyone smokes in the movie is a case in point. It is just being realistic.
Another thing I noticed in French movies is that not everyone is an actor. I mean since they are shot in the streets of Paris and the area isn't cordoned off, you can see people in the background actually staring at the actors/actresses as they essay their roles.
In essence, the film succeeds in getting its point (however vague it was!)across through a series of musical sequences, realistic visuals and ok acting.
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