I recently saw this at the 2007 Palm Springs International Film Festival. It's one of those films where I have to ask three questions. Why was this film made? Who was it made for? And why would a popular film festival choose to select it? I guess they chose it because they learned it had won the prestigious Prix Jean Vigo award for 2007 in France for feature film by director Serge Bozon. This film will certainly dramatically diminish the clout that such an award can bring. This is one of the worst films I have ever seen. Set in 1917 France as World War I rages, Camille (Sylvie Testud) is a young woman who receives a letter from her husband who is stationed at the front telling her is ending their love affair and she will never see him again. She cuts off her long hair and dons mens clothing to give her an appearance of a young man of maybe 17 years of age who is heading off to join the army so she can confront her husband in person. She immediately meets up with a platoon of a dozen men led by Lieutenant (Pascol Greggory). Lieutenant is referred to by no name other than his rank. He has only the clothes he wears and carries no backpack. The 11 other soldiers carry meager backpacks but suddenly out of nowhere they produce an array of musical instruments, some hand made, and break into a song. It's not in the style of songs of the early 20th century like French music hall songs but rather is in the style of music of the mid 1960's with harmonies like the Beach Boys or the Beatles. The instruments disappear at the conclusion of the song and it seems like a fun little sight gag and music spoof and I had had hopes this film may turn into a comedy but it never does and they repeat this gag several more times in the film and the amusement of it all kinds of wears off after the third time. The lyrics are bizarre too since they are meant to be sung from a woman's viewpoint but 12 men are singing them. The platoon are actually deserters on their way to the Dutch border. Serge Bozon directs this low budget mess and co-wrote the screenplay with Axelle Ropert. At least the music gave this movie something a little worthwhile as to not be a complete disaster and I would give this a very generous 3.5 out of 10.
La France
(2007)
Memo to France: The USA likes you again so quit sending us movies like this.
27 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers