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SAME OLD SONG (ON CONNAIT LA CHANSON) Send This Review to a Friend
French director Alain Resnais, who in the past has given us such valued films as "Hiroshima mon amour," "La guerre est finie," and "Providence" obviously enjoys being innovative. Here, in what many will readily recognize as a tribute to the late British writer Dennis Potter ("The Singing Detective"), Resnais spins a delightful tale of relationships by having characters suddenly break into song. The voices do not always match the gender.
The result, showcased at the 1998 New York Film Festival, is a merrily entertaining confection of romance and human nature, elevated by effervescent performances from a winsome cast that includes Sabine Azema, Pierre Arditi, Jean-Pierre Bacri, Andre Dussollier, Agnes Jaoui, and Jane Birkin. The story, scripted by Jaoui and Bacri, concerns finding the right mate, always a subject with universal appeal.
Told straight, the story would be interesting enough. But the musical interludes, which pop up unexpectedly, add extra delight, as well as refreshingly funny moments. The tone is set right at the start with a surprise opening and chanson that I don't want to spoil for you by describing. This is a film to discover for yourself. It's one of the best movies in recent years to come from France. A Merchant Ivory Films release.
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