A conventional biopic of the iconic Armenian French composer, singer, and entertainer Charles Aznavour from his humble beginnings to global fame in the 20th century, a man who remained true to himself against all odds.   Written and directed by he team of Mehdi Idir and Grand Corps Malade, the film digs into the man behind the myth, his family relationship, struggles, and motivations, from the intimate to the public.

The film portraits Charles Aznavour (Tahar Rahim) stepping on a stage early at the age of 9, until he passes away at 94, his evolution from a unquiet inmigrant kid to a celebrity, with the complicity of his sister Aida (Camille Moutawakil) from impersonating singer-songwriter Charles Trenet to become one himself, his partnership and friendship with Pierre Roche (Bastien Bouillon) and his relationship an exceptional Godmother, non other than Edith Piaf (Marie-Julie Baup) herself.  While struggling and touring in America, there are also references to Frank Sinatra.   

Of queer interest, in 1972 Aznavour composed and performed Comme ils Disent, a realist song about a transvestite dancer, his life and loves, known in English as What Makes a Man a Man. This is included in the film in particularly touching sequence that merges perfectly with the whole story of Aznavour´s life.  In addition to the queer interest: Liza Minnelli performed at the Olympia in 1966 and Aznavour went back stage to congratulate her, after which an endeaing friendship developed among them as showed in Liza´s 2024  documentary by Bruce David.

His great hit songs La bohéme,  Les comediens  take time to show in the film but once they appear they remain after it ends, confirming the innovation he made of the French chanson.  Not to mention Que c´est triste Venise in Spanish language.  Unmistakable Aznavour.

Actor Tahar Rahim, (remembered from his César Award winning  debut in Jacques Audiard´s Oscar Nominated Un prophéte (2009), is outstanding and was nominated for his second César for his performance here.     8/10