I'd like to think that I have discriminating taste when it comes to TV & movies. I refuse to watch horror - still recovering from Candyman. I'll never ever willingly put myself through movies like SAW. I won't go near the Titanic. I didn't watch it when it first came out and I won't watch when it is on repeat on Cosmo, W, Lifetime (I am not a fan of Leo or a cruise ship hitting an iceberg.) If I'm going to waste my time, it has to be high-quality programming that educates me, opens my eyes to new ideas, that imparts some life-changing, core-shifting, lessons. I know, I know. That's a lot to ask from Hollywood so, I turned to French flicks. Qui! You can blame it on Netflix with a decent library of foreign titles. It started with one, then another, then a few more... Suddenly, by the time 2013 came to a close, I had watched most of the titles on Canadian Netflix (while folding laundry, doing the dishes, making dinner, talking to my mother on the phone.) Je Pense, I was OD'ing a bit. How could I not when the stories were filling me with excitement AND an urgent desire to pack my bags and get on the first flight to Paris, buy a summer home in Monaco, start wearing red lipstick, cut my hair short, listen to Charles Aznavour and of course, smoke.... a lot! Thankfully, I have only done a few of these... red lipstick, short hair for starters!
I figured since I got such joy out of these films, why not share some key observations that you might find interesting... Here it goes...
1. There are two types of men in France - apparently. The first type is your typical, socially awkward, successful but conservative introvert meticulously dressed in sweater vests and tweed suits who spend days and nights painstakingly preparing to ask a woman out. If you're into that, watch: Romantics Anonymous - Not only is it about amour but also chocolate! Second type is the total opposite. Think Hollywood bad-boy but with a serious case of Euro charm. Slick hair, custom cut suits, Ray Ban sunglasses, killer smile and a knack for getting women in bed - effortlessly. If you're into that, watch: Cash. Added bonus, Jean Reno.
2. Women (primarily) are in control, carefree, soaking wet in je-ne-sais-quoi. Single, why not. Married, why not. Happy, but of course. Sad, superb. They don't wear bras, don't fuss over their outfits, they embody "sorti du lit comme ceci," you know... just got out of bed like this - NBD (driving ordinary girls like me up the wall when the next morning, I look in the mirror and see at least 35 minutes of prep.) They don't look overdone. Everything has an air of ease.... long hair flows flawlessly in the wind, short hair looks just the right kind of messy. And, they wear red lipstick like no other woman on this planet can... Case. In. Point: Juliette Binoche in Certified Copy.
3. You learn a ton about the diversity of France. Yes, you read that right. Diversity. While it isn't exactly a bustling multi-cultural hub, it is far more diverse then most people realize. A number of movies trace stories of Algerians living in the suburbs, trying to fit in with French culture and snobbery. I kinda fell in love with this movie - Il reste du jambon? - about a French girl who falls in love with an Algerian doctor. Ahh, j'adore. Sounds pretty ordinary except the witty dialogue that could be construed as borderline racist... Pas de problem!
4. Relationships in general are complicated but not to be fussed over that much. Whether it is sudden attraction to your best bud or saying goodbye to a loved one, the French do it with quiet grace. Take for example this movie - The Players - It's similar to Swingers with Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau. Jean Dujardin and Gilles Lellouche are two playboys with a single mission in mind: sex, sex, and more sex. You have to watch it to believe it and I will not give away the ending but you will NEVER expect a conclusion like that in a Hollywood film... Let's just say, their exploration of sexual desires go a step further than you'd expect. Another great one is Little White Lies with my girl-crush Marion Cotillard. No matter the heartache, the French have all the time in the world for wine... Also, this movie proves that in France, you can sleep with your windows open on a 2nd floor walk-up without the worry of someone sneaking in and killing you.
5. On that note, food is an epic journey, an ordeal, a sensual experience. They don't just eat a meal. I mean sure, there is a meal here and there but you don't really see pizza boxes, KFC buckets, take-out floating around. You either see an elaborate home cooked meal OR wine, wine, wine and more wine.... Take Change of Plans, for example. The movie centers around a delicious home cooked meal (alongside adultery, art, father-daughter tension, divorce, oh and wine.)
4. Relationships in general are complicated but not to be fussed over that much. Whether it is sudden attraction to your best bud or saying goodbye to a loved one, the French do it with quiet grace. Take for example this movie - The Players - It's similar to Swingers with Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau. Jean Dujardin and Gilles Lellouche are two playboys with a single mission in mind: sex, sex, and more sex. You have to watch it to believe it and I will not give away the ending but you will NEVER expect a conclusion like that in a Hollywood film... Let's just say, their exploration of sexual desires go a step further than you'd expect. Another great one is Little White Lies with my girl-crush Marion Cotillard. No matter the heartache, the French have all the time in the world for wine... Also, this movie proves that in France, you can sleep with your windows open on a 2nd floor walk-up without the worry of someone sneaking in and killing you.
5. On that note, food is an epic journey, an ordeal, a sensual experience. They don't just eat a meal. I mean sure, there is a meal here and there but you don't really see pizza boxes, KFC buckets, take-out floating around. You either see an elaborate home cooked meal OR wine, wine, wine and more wine.... Take Change of Plans, for example. The movie centers around a delicious home cooked meal (alongside adultery, art, father-daughter tension, divorce, oh and wine.)
While there are tons more I can share with you, this is a good starting point for your French Film education. Before I forget, one more important observation. Kids are far more stylish than you'd expect. Um, see this little lady. There is nothing like a little girl making you feel completely inadequate about your 30-something style and kick your self esteem to the curb. Vive La France!
Finally, if you want to watch a real bromance... the kind that'll melt your heart and make you wish you knew these people in real life, watch The Intouchables... There is something magical about this movie. Just magical. Or was it that Francois Cluzet reminded me that men do get better with age.... Wow. He may be inching up to take a spot on my Top 5 list. You know that list. If I were stuck in an elevator forever/was about to be eaten by wolves in a forest/plane about to go down/lost at sea/insert other life-ending moments and one of these top 5 men happen to be the only other soul beside me... I would be likely to want to... oh heck. You know what I'm talking about. No need to spell it out.... You have to be prepared for these unexpected surprises in life....
So dear friends, if you have the time and you want to move away from the cliche-Hollywood-formula flicks, you may want to check out a few of these. I don't think you'll be disappointed and you'll improve your French. Merveilleux!!
Until next time,
SE
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So dear friends, if you have the time and you want to move away from the cliche-Hollywood-formula flicks, you may want to check out a few of these. I don't think you'll be disappointed and you'll improve your French. Merveilleux!!
Until next time,
SE
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