Quand j'étais chanteur (2006)

Alain Moreau sings for one of the few remaining dance-bands in Clermont-Ferrand. Though something of an idol amongst his female audience he has a melancholic awareness of the slow ... See full summary »

Director:

Xavier Giannoli

Writer:

Xavier Giannoli

Stars:

Gérard Depardieu, Cécile De France, Mathieu Amalric

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gérard Depardieu	...	Alain Moreau
Cécile De France	...	Marion
Mathieu Amalric	...	Bruno
Christine Citti	...	Michèle
Patrick Pineau	...	Daniel
Jean-Pierre Gos	...	Le maire
Antoine de Prekel	...	Martin
Monique Gailleurd	...	Organisateur Soirée
Alain Kruger	...	Médecin
Patrick Bordier	...	Responsable Palais
Jean-Paul Combes	...	Patron Aquarius
Serge Godenaire	...	Maitre d'hôtel
Marie Kremer	...	Laurence
Catherine Salviat	...	Mme Laville
Cécile Auclert	...	Blonde

Storyline

Alain Moreau sings for one of the few remaining dance-bands in Clermont-Ferrand. Though something of an idol amongst his female audience he has a melancholic awareness of the slow disappearance of that audience and of his advancing years. He is completely knocked off balance when he meets strikingly attractive and much younger businesswoman Marion. She seems distant and apparently otherwise involved but soon shows quiet signs of reciprocating his interest. A brief dalliance turns into something much more complicated and he starts to employ - indeed monopolise - her services as an estate agent by announcing he suddenly must move house.

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Plot Keywords:

singer | orchestra | clermont ferrand | fading star | 2000s | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes love can be found in the most unexpected places (DVD Australia)

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

Europa Corp. [France]

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

13 September 2006 (France)

Also Known As:

Chanson d'amour

Filming Locations:

Auvergne, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

EuropaCorp, Rectangle Productions, France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Stromboli (1950)

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Soundtracks

"Je N'Ai Pas Change"

User Reviews

Well rendered but rather confusing French romance

I suspect there must be a genre term in French cinema for films in which Depardieu gets the girl by virtue of his charisma. I think he fits his conceit rather well in this kitchen-sink sized romance, an ageing but professional dance hall singer-compère. Cécile De France also fits into this as Marion, the woman who he seduces then spends the rest of the film chasing - initially it all seems a bit odd until we discover that Marion is more damaged than outward appearance might suggest.

The problem for me is that I come from the north side of the channel and simply can't process the fluid morality at the heart of the film - the ease with which people slip in and out of each others' beds but remain within the same social orbit. There's nothing in the film to explain or dramatise this situation either. I found myself getting rather waylaid as to the point of it all.

Director Xavier Giannoli treats the potentially toe-curling parochial dance-hall sequences with loving reverence - one can see how Alain would be happy to do these inauspicious gigs for the rest of his life. Shame about the baffling drama though. 4/10