Some 10 years after his death in his native France singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg is evidently still considered a legend and an icon. This startling new movie based on first time director Joann Starr’s own graphic novel traces Gainsbourg roots when he was then just Lucien Ginsberg a young mischievous Russian Jewish boy growing up in Nazi occupied Paris. A disillusioned artist and when he is 30 years old is forced to make ends by he become a bar-room piano player. His lucky break came when famed chanteuse Juliette Greco heard him sing one of is own compositions’
Ms. Greco is the first of many beautiful and successful women who pursue Gainsbourg to get their hands on not only his songs, but also his body. The latter being really difficult to comprehend cos he was unquestionably a very unattractive man with his jug ears and his enormous nose. He must have had a great deal of inner beauty, or other hidden talents. Gainsbourg married twice and his coterie of lovers included Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin who gave birth to two children including the actress Charlotte.
It’s a great authentic period piece of a time when everyone led such debauched lives spent with heavy smoking, drinking and making love, that there seemed little time left to write and perform and becoming very rich and famous, but Gainsbourg managed it. Starr’s retelling is made even more intriguing with his inspired use of life size puppets throughout as it lifts it beyond simply being just yet another regular bio-pic.
What’s even more remarkable and totally stunning is the mesmerizing performance by Eric Elmosnino as Gainsbourg. I’ll confess to never having heard of him before, but he simply lit up the screen, which deservedly earned him a Cesar (a French Oscar). The former model Laetitia Casta was a very sexy Brigette Bardot which earned her a Best Actress Nomination.
I loved the film even though it reminded me of two things I really loathe. First Jane Birkin & Charlotte Gainsbourg have always annoyed me beyond belief, and still do with the very questionable acting and their dreadful singing. But much more important than that is the fact that French popular music really sticks! Always did, and always will. Surprising for a nation that excels at so many artistic, and are world leaders of culture and design.
P.S. I still cannot fathom out why this was ‘an heroic life’ : it beats me.
★★★★★★★★
Labels: biography, documentary, French
