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nanwellins
Reviews
Ma vie en rose (1997)
Yes, it's French - but don't let that stop you
If there's someone in your family who is "different" - or even if there isn't - don't miss "Ma Vie en Rose", the utterly charming and moving story of a 7-year-old boy named Ludovic Fabre who believes he should have been born a girl and whose dearest wish in life is to be like "Pam", the French version of Barbie.
Alain Berliner treats his subject with great tenderness and humor; there are neither heroes nor villains in the French suburb where the film takes place, just some ordinary, flawed humans muddling their way towards clarity - or its opposite.
There is real substance behind the soufflé-like lightness of tone, and the pink veil of Ludovic's childish imaginings conceals moments of genuine pain. But there is nothing here that will outrage or frighten, making the R rating a complete mystery. The film could be shown to an older child (10 and up).
Ludovic, as played by Georges du Fresne, will steal your heart. His performance in this film is nothing short of memorable. His mother and grandmother run a close second, but Ludovic will stay with you long after this film is over.
Satin Rouge (2002)
Window onto a different world
So few films from the Maghreb make it to USA screens, so see "Satin Rouge" for that alone: it's a rare chance to witness life in North Africa (in this case, Tunisia). There's an early morning cab ride through a charming, graceful Mediterranean cityscape and beach scenes that made me want to jump onto the Internet to research my next vacation - on the coast near Tunis. It was all far lovelier than I'd ever imagined.
Then there's the film itself. It offers a nicely-crafted, beautifully understated exposition of a shy widow's breaking out of her shell through the medium of traditional belly-dance, although the plot frog-leaps at times and the more literal-minded may be left wondering how certain developments came about. But the sensitive face of the actress who plays the lead role carries you over the spaces in the story.
The music is terrific - definitely an element in the film. Supporting cast (particularly the professional belly dancer) felt thoroughly authentic.
I found the mother-daughter relationship quite convincing, although if I were the daughter, I might have wondered where my mother was all those evenings! Worth seeing, particularly if you enjoy opening windows onto different cultures.