Customer Reviews

Chansons D'Amour

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am not sure anyone would REALLY like/appreciate this without having seen the superb film first - so do yourself a favor, watch the film, fall in love with it - and THEN buy the CD. The songs are all by French pop singer/songwriter Alex Beaupain (who appears in the film and sings one song) - about a third of the songs in the film are off his debut album 'Garcon d'Honneur' (also excellent), but here they are sung by the actors/characters in the film - none of whom are really 'trained' singers, but all of whom have decent to excellent voices. The rest of the 14 songs were written for the film. They range from giddy romantic pop numbers ('De Bonne Raisons') to a somber, painful dirge of remembrance ('Au Park' hauntingly sung by Chiara Mastroianni, daughter of Marcello and C. Deneuve). Even if you don't speak/understand French, the music aptly conveys the mood and the songs are catchy enough that they can be enjoyed without knowing what the heck they are singing about.

The CD is great. Yes, it helps if you've seen the movie before, but I initially fell in love with the songs after just viewing some clips from the film. The music's energy and actors' presence just sucks you in. My only disappointment is not having the closing song by Barbara included in the CD.

I stumbled upon Les Chansons d'Amour when searching youtube for Louis Garrel videos... none of the videos had subtitles but I could really feel what the characters were saying and I fell in love with the mood and the beautiful songs... I had trouble finding the film anywhere to rent... even the soundtrack... so I ordered both online... unfortunately I listened to the album a dozen times before I saw the film... so I had these preconceived ideas of what the lyrics meant... they had their own meanings for me... that and subtitles can often be off or harsh... Not saying that the film was bad but waiting for 2 months and reading about it made it lose hype... I would highly recommend the album because the songs are cute and catchy and fun... Louis has an amazing voice, and the score is brilliant... I need to give the movie another go...

The soundtrack for this film is beautifully done but will only make sense if you see the film aka "The Lovers" first. The songs help narrate this story which takes place in Paris and follows the life of a Ishmael (Garrel) and his girlfriend Julie and their mutual girlfriend Alice. Yes it is a menage a trois with a sad ending that eventually pushes Ishmael to explore an alternative relationship. I do not wish to give away to much of the plot but the gorgeous Paris backdrop, the brooding good looks of Monsieur Garrel (who is talented singer..who knew?) and the music make this another brilliant film from Christophe Honore. It was a favorite at the Cannes an Toronto Film Festivals so indulge yourself with this eye and ear candy of a flick.

Jean Renoir's, 54`s "French Cancan" is a bomb along with Jacques Demy`s, 64' "Les Parapluies de Cherbourg"(The Umbrellas of Cherbourg). Thanks to Michel Legrand's beautiful score makes "Umbrellas" it slow and boring. Strangely enough, it is watch over & over again because of Catherine Deneuve & the wonderful cinematography.

Gene Kelly helps but, Jacques Demy & Agnès Varda`s, 67' "Les Demoiselles de Rochefort" (The Young Girls of Rochefort) is a bomb as well.

Alain Resnais, 1997 "On Connaît la Chanson" (Same Old Song), because of songs sung by Piaf, Aznavour, Josephine Baker and others (the cream of the crop of the "Golden Age" of French popular music) made it delightful, but still....

In short, the French can't make musicals. But then they very rarely do, thank goodness.

Christophe Honoré, "Les Chansons d'Amour" (Love songs) is compared to Umbrellas of Cherbourg. (Why the "Film World" rate "Umbrellas" as a great film, is beyond me.)

This Low-budget film encompasses so many clichés in French film, such as the ménage à trois scenario in the beginning of the film, as well as many other setups recognizable by French Film buffs is overridden by the plot. The performances, Alex Beaupain's music, the pace of storyline, the sudden unexpected twist in the plot(shocking)and the last lines of the film, leave the viewer stunned.

At last, the French have learned how to make a musical!