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Product Description
From visionary graphic artist and director Joann Sfar comes a completely original take on one of the world’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Serge Gainsbourg.
Gainsbourg is an enchanting glimpse at the life of a musical icon, his early years growing up as a Jewish boy in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris, his wildly successful songwriting years and of course his now legendary romances with some of the era’s most famous women: Brigitte Bardot, Juliette Greco and Jane Birkin.
Gainsbourg is an enchanting glimpse at the life of a musical icon, his early years growing up as a Jewish boy in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris, his wildly successful songwriting years and of course his now legendary romances with some of the era’s most famous women: Brigitte Bardot, Juliette Greco and Jane Birkin.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: French ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (2.35:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Behind the scenes, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: From visionary graphic artist and director Joann Sfar comes a completely original take on one of the world's greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Serge Gainsbourg.Gainsbourg is an enchanting glimpse at the life of a musical icon, his early years growing up as a Jewish boy in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris, his wildly successful songwriting years and of course his now legendary romances with some of the era's most famous women: Brigitte Bardot, Juliette Greco and Jane Birkin. ...Gainsbourg (2010) ( Gainsbourg )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Gainsbourg - A frank look at the man which explains much about him, but doesn't help you to like him
4 Oct 2011
Format:DVD
This is a film like almost no other. It tells the story of Serge Gainsbourg, one of France's most popular, and controversial, musicians.
The film deals with various episodes in his life, from growing up as a Jew in Nazi occupied France, through his noted affairs, his fist steps in the world of music, the creation of `J'Taime', his relationship with his parents, wives and children, and the controversy surrounding his recording fo the French national anthem.
So far so run of the mill biographical picture. But there is something that sets this film apart, and that is the slightly surreal air. Gainsbourg is haunted by various animated characters, notably Professor Flipus, a sublimation of his own sub-conscience and baser desires. These animations have a charm all of their own, and serve to really push the story and explore Gainsbourg's motivations.
I have to confess that after watching the film, I had a better understanding of the man, but I didn't warm to him much and had a feeling of slight distaste for him. His music, while not always to my taste, is very good and it is easy to see why he became such an icon in France.
This is a very charming film that presents the life of this essentially unlikeable man in a way that keeps the viewer engaged. It is quirky, funny in places, moving in others. It is quite unique. Four stars.
The film is in French with English subtitles.
The film deals with various episodes in his life, from growing up as a Jew in Nazi occupied France, through his noted affairs, his fist steps in the world of music, the creation of `J'Taime', his relationship with his parents, wives and children, and the controversy surrounding his recording fo the French national anthem.
So far so run of the mill biographical picture. But there is something that sets this film apart, and that is the slightly surreal air. Gainsbourg is haunted by various animated characters, notably Professor Flipus, a sublimation of his own sub-conscience and baser desires. These animations have a charm all of their own, and serve to really push the story and explore Gainsbourg's motivations.
I have to confess that after watching the film, I had a better understanding of the man, but I didn't warm to him much and had a feeling of slight distaste for him. His music, while not always to my taste, is very good and it is easy to see why he became such an icon in France.
This is a very charming film that presents the life of this essentially unlikeable man in a way that keeps the viewer engaged. It is quirky, funny in places, moving in others. It is quite unique. Four stars.
The film is in French with English subtitles.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Fans of Serge Gainsbourg may be a little disappointed that "Gainsbourg:Vie Heroique", by Joann Sfar, offers a somewhat fragmented and kaleidoscopic picture of the great French singer and songwriter, instead of a more straight, documentary style biopic. Somewhat in the manner of the British movie, "Sex and Drugs and Rock n'Roll",(2009), where Andy Serkis recreated Ian Dury unforgettably in a series of episodes from the performer's life, Sfar presents a series of tableaux, each one of which illustrates a particular theme which the director considers significant in relation to Gainsbourg's career.
Eric Elmosnino gives a terrific performance in the name role. Other players too give outstanding performances, not only in terms of their vitality but also to an uncanny degree in looking so much like the characters Gainsbourg encountered during his life. In this regard the actors who played Bardot (Laetitia Casta), Juliette Greco (Anna Mouglalis), and Jane Birkin (the late Lucy Gordon), were outstanding. Other characters, including Frehel, Georges Brassens, Boris Vian and Django Reinhard, also appear briefly and much trouble has been taken to find actors who greatly resemble the original figures.
The film throughout is a wonderfully colourful and witty tribute to Gainsbourg's life and times - it is visually very beautiful - but more importantly it has a tough political edge in relation to its treatment of anti-semitism, both in the France of Gainsbourg's time, and in personal terms of the singer's perception of himself. Again, fans of the singer may regret that less attention is paid to Gainsbourg's music, but maybe someone is already preparing the documentary that would complete the picture.
Altogether the film is an entertaining and vivid recreation of an era in French culture. Highly recommended.
Eric Elmosnino gives a terrific performance in the name role. Other players too give outstanding performances, not only in terms of their vitality but also to an uncanny degree in looking so much like the characters Gainsbourg encountered during his life. In this regard the actors who played Bardot (Laetitia Casta), Juliette Greco (Anna Mouglalis), and Jane Birkin (the late Lucy Gordon), were outstanding. Other characters, including Frehel, Georges Brassens, Boris Vian and Django Reinhard, also appear briefly and much trouble has been taken to find actors who greatly resemble the original figures.
The film throughout is a wonderfully colourful and witty tribute to Gainsbourg's life and times - it is visually very beautiful - but more importantly it has a tough political edge in relation to its treatment of anti-semitism, both in the France of Gainsbourg's time, and in personal terms of the singer's perception of himself. Again, fans of the singer may regret that less attention is paid to Gainsbourg's music, but maybe someone is already preparing the documentary that would complete the picture.
Altogether the film is an entertaining and vivid recreation of an era in French culture. Highly recommended.
Format:DVD
Great to see this French title available on Amazon U.K. with English subtitles as it is not available in the United States. Serge Gainsbourg's musical portfolio is incredible and deserves careful listening; moreover, his eccentric and nefarious vulgar personality intensifies the presentation (he is an original). I enjoyed the movie, but felt it is a "disinfected" version of the real Mr. Gainsbourg. The movie did not go into any detail about his alleged incestuous relationship with his daughter (Charlotte Lucy Gainsbourg) or his highly inebriated adventures in Paris.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
changes not expected
I had previously bought a copy of Gainsbourg. I bought this copy to give to a cohort who shares my interest in in cinema. Read more
Published 3 months ago by David Wilder
Great film, appalling DVD
A wonderful film - if you can get your hands on the full version.
The edit presented on this DVD is appalling. Read more
The edit presented on this DVD is appalling. Read more
Published 4 months ago by M. Grayer
Deep, yet Shallow
I've watched my fair share of French films in recent years, but the oddest one yet has to be `Gainsbourg' the biographical story of Serge Gainsbourg, artist and musician. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Sam
Gainsbourg film
Innovative account of Serge Gainsbourg's life and work, including his relationship with the woman who inspired THAT song ('Je t'aime...). Read more
Published 11 months ago by Samadhini
Disappointing
I thought this would be like Mesrine, only featuring a musician. The surrealist style was not to my taste. Read more
Published 12 months ago by William Cohen
Gainsbourg dvd
Received promptly, well packaged, little disappointed with the film - after reading all the reviews was really looking forward to it, was a little strange in parts and did not... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Lucy
Cleverly thought out
A good story well told, although a lot of time was spent on the early years and the later years rushed through. This would possibly have worked better as a two part film. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Frederic Peter John Wood
Another blank disc
So frustrated and disappointed not to have seen this film yet as my disc was blank . I'm pretty fed up with my run of bad luck in receiving blank discs!
Published 14 months ago by V. Armstrong
A well done biography
Following his life and carriere, as we know it... Never boring, fun! Beautiful, sometimes a fairytale, his "gueule" playing the piano while he himself kiss the girls...!
Published 16 months ago by Charlotta
Vulgar and Arty
I couldn't resist buying this the moment it was released as I quite like *some* of Serge Gainsbourg's music and all the reviews praised the film.
I was very disapointed. Read more
I was very disapointed. Read more
Published 16 months ago by RL
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