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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: French ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN, SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Featurette, Filmographies, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Alain, 50, is a singer at a ball in a French provincial town. He also does performances for company social clubs and official openings. Alain may have dyed hair but he knows who he is. He is known all over his local town and thats all that matters. Singing was his whole life when he met Marion. Marion is 27, an auctioneer, and new to the area. She has a four-year-old child that she had when too young with a man whom she no longer loves. She was lost when Alain found her. Eager to spend time with her, Alain makes her believe that he is looking for a house. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Cannes Film Festival, Ceasar Awards, ...The Singer ( Quand j'étais chanteur )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
which is a translation of the original, and better, French title.
D'accord! J'ai cru ca .... Sorry, I'll start again.
The story is simple: a somewhat cheesy, albeit moderately talented, aging singer who plays dance halls, and anywhere else he can get a gig and largely to an older audience, becomes obsessed with a younger woman with whom he has sex shortly after they first meet but, embarrassed, she leaves. The rest of the film depicts her gradual involvement in his life.
Because Depardieu is such a physical presence on-screen, it's easy to forget just what a good actor he is. Here, as Alain Moreau, he gives a fine and nuanced performance making the character vividly real in all its painful warts and all humanity. Cecile de France plays the object of his desire, a short-haired slim blonde, in a controlled performance of a woman not as in control of her own life as she would like.
The songs, as cheesy as the singer, were unfamiliar to me and, like the dialogue, all in French (but with excellent subtitles), nevertheless they convey a commentary of sorts on the life of Alain Moreau as he sings them.
Overall this is a movie in a minor key, but the key is played very well and this is a minor but definite pleasure.
It also highlights a difference between British and French culture. All the characters smoke. A lot.
D'accord! J'ai cru ca .... Sorry, I'll start again.
The story is simple: a somewhat cheesy, albeit moderately talented, aging singer who plays dance halls, and anywhere else he can get a gig and largely to an older audience, becomes obsessed with a younger woman with whom he has sex shortly after they first meet but, embarrassed, she leaves. The rest of the film depicts her gradual involvement in his life.
Because Depardieu is such a physical presence on-screen, it's easy to forget just what a good actor he is. Here, as Alain Moreau, he gives a fine and nuanced performance making the character vividly real in all its painful warts and all humanity. Cecile de France plays the object of his desire, a short-haired slim blonde, in a controlled performance of a woman not as in control of her own life as she would like.
The songs, as cheesy as the singer, were unfamiliar to me and, like the dialogue, all in French (but with excellent subtitles), nevertheless they convey a commentary of sorts on the life of Alain Moreau as he sings them.
Overall this is a movie in a minor key, but the key is played very well and this is a minor but definite pleasure.
It also highlights a difference between British and French culture. All the characters smoke. A lot.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Saw this movie first at the cinema and then on DVD here in Australia (DVD rental Bigpond) and loved it, absolutely loved it, as did my husband. It doesnt matter if you arent a GD fan at all, as the themes, settings, acting and music in this movie make it an absolute delight. But he is superb in this, you are totally convinced of his part in the role. Gerard is an absolute delight.
It is one of those movies you can pull out every so often and enjoy once again and again. It wont matter how many times you had already seen it.
That's why I want my own copy. Have already got the music CD. My only disappointment is that I have to wait until the end of February for my own copy of the DVD.
Enjoy this one time and time again. Its fun, uplifting and pure joy.
Margot M
It is one of those movies you can pull out every so often and enjoy once again and again. It wont matter how many times you had already seen it.
That's why I want my own copy. Have already got the music CD. My only disappointment is that I have to wait until the end of February for my own copy of the DVD.
Enjoy this one time and time again. Its fun, uplifting and pure joy.
Margot M
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
The French title, translated as When I Was a Singer, would have been a better title for the Anglo-Saxon world also; the film is about a dance-hall crooner, Alain Moreau, well past his prime who, in a futuristic closing sequence, looks back over his career with the song Quand J'Etais Chanteur. The star is, of course, the amazing Gerard Depardieu, who has now appeared in over 170 films in a 40-year career. Although I have seen only a few of them I have never seen him more charismatic than here. He sings the songs himself, proving that he could have had a passable, though not as profitable, career in that field.
Alain's manager is his ex-wife, but the central drama is between him and Marion (Cecile de France), a single mother half his age who works as an estate agent. Following an initial passion they develop a mainly platonic relationship, though it becomes clear that Alain retains a romantic longing for her. Why Marion was initially so attracted to him, especially as she was unaware of his local fame (in the Clermont-Ferrand area), is never really explained. When, following a throat infection from which he recovers, Alain flees from performing in a huge stadium with the real-life pop star Christophe, it is clear that his career is well on the wane.
After seeing the film, the emotion which immediately came to mind was that of melancholy. It is very enjoyable, the songs are foot-tappingly good (though they wouldn't appeal to present-day clubbers), and their lyrics invariably suit what the characters are thinking and feeling. The young director, Xavier Giannoli, never betrays his inexperience in a big-budget exercise. But the film belongs to the great Depardieu, whose career has certainly not declined like that of the character he plays here.
Alain's manager is his ex-wife, but the central drama is between him and Marion (Cecile de France), a single mother half his age who works as an estate agent. Following an initial passion they develop a mainly platonic relationship, though it becomes clear that Alain retains a romantic longing for her. Why Marion was initially so attracted to him, especially as she was unaware of his local fame (in the Clermont-Ferrand area), is never really explained. When, following a throat infection from which he recovers, Alain flees from performing in a huge stadium with the real-life pop star Christophe, it is clear that his career is well on the wane.
After seeing the film, the emotion which immediately came to mind was that of melancholy. It is very enjoyable, the songs are foot-tappingly good (though they wouldn't appeal to present-day clubbers), and their lyrics invariably suit what the characters are thinking and feeling. The young director, Xavier Giannoli, never betrays his inexperience in a big-budget exercise. But the film belongs to the great Depardieu, whose career has certainly not declined like that of the character he plays here.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Boy meets Girl?
Basically, boy meets girl,girl not interested, boy sulks,chases after girl,his father should have told him this is a receipe for disaster,girl has minor liaison with boys best... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Monk
A Beautiful Film
I have just finished watching this film - and I still sense a certain detachment which only the very best films make me feel. Read more
Published 20 months ago by J. R. Rees
Love the singer, not the song
We recently saw this film on tv and enjoyed it as we love Gerard. Have not had time to view this dvd but we can now watch it again when we wish.
Published on 5 May 2010 by Mrs. Carole F. Weinstein
I wanted to apologise to the French
Up front I want to say that I really like Gerard Depardieu. He is an excellent actor and a fascinating individual of the French persuasion. Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2010 by Sir Readalot
True Love
This is more than just a brilliant return to form for Gerard Depardieu, which is surely is but is also a beautiful and truthful look at relationships and love. Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2009 by Mr. T. Brandon
My Friend Quite Liked It....
This film gets 3 stars because of... compromise.
It didn't do much for me but my friend quite liked it; at the end she said thoughtfully "relationships are complex"... Read more
It didn't do much for me but my friend quite liked it; at the end she said thoughtfully "relationships are complex"... Read more
Published on 10 May 2009 by b4-its-2-l8
It sings
Great film with good performances especially Depardieu - not the singing. This is a subtle film and all the more powerful for it.
Published on 3 Dec 2008 by D Deacon
Strangely Bewitching
When ageing singer Alain Moreau (Gerard Depardieu) meets the young and beautiful Marion (Cecile De France) the oft-told story of an old man falling for a young woman is retold. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2008 by S. Clark
Pretty Damn Cool
I love Depardieu and this was another side of him as the singer and chancer. But he does it with such style! Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2008
Not memorable
We follow Alain Moreau (played by Depardieu) as he performs to small audiences in clubs. There is a sense that this is the twilight of his career. Read more
Published on 20 July 2008 by JA Foxton
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