ON CONNAÎT LA CHANSON
SAME OLD SONG |
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Director:
Alain Resnais
Screenplay: Agnès Jaoui, Jean-Pierre Bacri.
Cast: Pierre Arditi, Sabine Azéma, Jean-Pierre Bacri, Agnes
Jaoui, André Dussollier, Lambert Wilson.
Awards: Best Film (César Awards, 1998).
Running time: 120'
Year of production: 1998
Rating: Not rated
Gauge: 16 & 35mm (color)
Distributor: New Yorker Films
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“Where
does self-delusion end and lying begin? And how much do our deepest
feelings correspond to old songs we retain that pop into our minds
at the oddest moments? These and other less-than-burning questions
are contemplated in Alain Resnais’ buoyant film, a contemporary
musical comedy about real estate, agoraphobia, hypochondria and Parisian
tourist landmarks, among other topics.” - Jeannette Maslin,
The New York Times. |
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In
this tribute to the British screenwriter Dennis Potter, the legendary
director Alain Resnais of “Hiroshima mon amour” has
created a film about a circle of friends who express their secret
desires by breaking into snatches of popular songs. More like cinematic
karaoke than movie musical, “On connaît la chanson”
was written by the creative team of Agnès Jaoui et Jean-Pierre
Bacri who made a name for themselves with the hit-comedy “Un
air de famille.” The film shows Paris and Parisians at their
best and worst all the while lip-syching to tunes by France Gall,
Johnny Haliday, the rock group Telephone, or Maurice Chevalier. The
story follows six intertwined characters as they try to find happiness
in the great city of lights. There is Odile, bored with her husband
and her life, who embarks on a quest to buy and refurnish a new apartment.
Her sister Camille, a tour guide and student, who initially seems
confident and in control of her life but then gradually begins to
develop accute agoraphobia. Marc, Odile’s arrogant and dishonest
real-estate agent, who is dating Camille. Simon, an older employee
of Marc who has a passion for Parisian history and for Camille. Into
the picture comes Nicolas, an ex-boyfriend of Odile, who has suddenly
relocated to Paris without his family. A raving hypocondriac, Nicolas
becomes Simon’s client and close friend. As this web of relationships
grows more and more complicated, Resnais brings all the stories to
a climax with one unforgettable dinner party.
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| PHOTO Courtesy
of New Yorker Films |
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