Der Schaum der Tage (2013)

Wealthy, inventive bachelor Colin endeavors to find a cure for his lover Chloe after she's diagnosed with an unusual illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs.

Director:

Michel Gondry

Writers:

Michel Gondry (scenario), Luc Bossi (scenario)

Stars:

Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh

1 win & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Romain Duris	...	Colin
Audrey Tautou	...	Chloé
Gad Elmaleh	...	Chick
Omar Sy	...	Nicolas
Aïssa Maïga	...	Alise
Charlotte Le Bon	...	Isis
Sacha Bourdo	...	La souris
Vincent Rottiers	...	Le religieux
Philippe Torreton	...	Jean-Sol Partre
Laurent Lafitte	...	Le directeur de société (as Laurent Lafitte de la comédie française)
Alain Chabat	...	Gouffé
Zinedine Soualem	...	Le directeur de l'usine d'armement
Natacha Régnier	...	La marchande de remèdes
Marina Rozenman	...	La duchesse de Bovouard
Mathieu Paulus	...	Le Chuiche (as Matthieu Paulus)

Storyline

Set in a charmingly surreal Paris, wealthy bachelor Colin spends his time developing his pianocktail (a cocktail-making piano) and devouring otherworldly dishes prepared by his trusty chef Nicolas. When Colin learns that his best friend Chick, a fellow acolyte of the philosopher Jean-Sol Partre, has a new American girlfriend, our lonely hero attends a friend's party in hopes of falling in love himself. He soon meets Chloe and, before they know it, they're dancing to Duke Ellington and plunging headfirst into a romance. Their whirlwind courtship is tested when an unusual illness plagues Chloe; a flower begins to grow in her lungs. To save her, Colin discovers the only cure is to surround Chloe with a never-ending supply of fresh flowers.

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Plot Keywords:

flowers | lungs | friend | illness | dancing | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [France] Official site [Japan]

Country:

France Belgium

Language:

French English

Release Date:

18 July 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Foam of the Days

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

€19,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$26,511 (USA) (18 July 2014)

Gross:

$303,012 (USA) (7 November 2014)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brio Films, StudioCanal, Scope Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is based on a novel written by the famous French writer Boris Vian, who was a jazz music passionate and also a singer.

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Goofs

When Nicolas brings breakfast to Chloé and Colin the first time, the long shot from the back of the bedroom shows him entering the bedroom but there are no people up on the bed. The close shot from the end of the bed shows Chloé and Colin receiving the tray.

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Quotes

Colin: I said that because "Chloé" is also a piece of Duke Ellington.
Chloé: Duke Ellington, the famous racing driver!
Colin: Of course. I feel very stupid. Can I please leave?
Chloé: Can you please stay?

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Connections

Version of Kuroe (2001)

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Soundtracks

Fleurette Africaine
Written and performed by Duke Ellington

User Reviews

Fabulous use of surrealist effects!

I went in to the theater without checking out the reviews beforehand, completely open-minded. I was drawn in by the word "surrealist" in the description, and curious to see whether the movie was going to compare with the early day movies like the 1902 A Trip to the Moon. This was when the totally new possibilities of film were being enthusiastically embraced, and for those long-gone creators the sky was the limit. I wasn't disappointed. It is fabulous how the director has created the most absurd situations and effects, giving the viewer the feeling of bouncing from one surrealist painting into another. It looks like a movie which must have been incredibly time-consuming to bring together, and in my mind Michel Gondry has totally succeeded. Bravo also to Marie-Charlotte Moreau, for her wonderful editing to bring about this beautiful result.