Film: Paris 36
Cast includes: Gerald Jugnot (Les Choristes), Nora Arnezeder
Director: Christophe Barratier (Les Choristes)
Genre: Drama, French with subtitles
In brief: The Chansonia music hall in Paris is the scene of romance, tragedy and political unrest… all before the opening credits. By New Years 1936, the Chansonia has closed, Milou and others are involved with the Popular Front, Pigoil’s wife has run off with her lover and Pigoil young son Jojo is playing the accordion on street corners, secretly trying to make money and pay some of the bills. Things really get ugly when Jojo is picked up by the police for under-age begging and sent to live with his mother. The only way for Pigoil to get his son back is to find employment, which isn’t all that easy in pre-WWII France. So Pigoil and other Chansonia veterans decide to bring the music hall back to its former glory… and bring back their jobs in the process.
Added to the plot are Galapiat, the evil music hall owner, Max (aka Radio Man), who hasn’t left his apartment in 20 years after losing his beloved Rose… and Douce, the lovely young singer who just might be the savior of the Chansonia. And for good measure, don’t forget the civil unrest and anti-Semitism of France in the 1930s.
With obvious Busby Berkeley references, Paris 36 gradually wins our hearts. The storytelling feels a bit chaotic at times, with threads of various plot lines taking occasional detours. We sometimes wonder if it’s a political drama, a musical, a romance or a comedy. Unlike most American movies, Paris 36 doesn’t hurry to reign in the plot lines. But it does eventually resolve them (more-or-less) after a whirlwind and enjoyable ride.
3 popped kernels
Popped kernels for the whimsical story... very French... fun characters and good acting.
