The Singer

Quand j'étais chanteur

Director
Xavier Giannoli
Cast
Gérard Depardieu, Cécile De France, Mathieu Amalric, Marie Kremer
Date
2006
Duration
112 Minutes
Cert.
12

Gérard Depardieu is The Singer, a middle-aged man reliving his glory years, singing sentimental pop songs in restaurants, retirement homes and casinos. He meets Marion, a troubled young estate agent who he falls in love with. Sad at the thought of his fading past, he focuses his attention on Marion, who he sees as the one thing in his life worth holding on to.

Arguably his finest performance of recent years, Gérard Depardieu (The Last Metro, 36, Changing Times, Dumas is terrific as the aging singer, struggling to come to terms with his fading glory.  Unlike the washed-up character he plays, Depardieu reminds us who's boss when it comes to the most talented French actors at work today.

The role also marks an interesting change in tone by the wonderful Cécile de France, Pot Luck, Russian Dolls , A Secret, star of Clint Eastwood's film Hereafter (2010) playing here the young estate agent the singer falls for. There is also a notable supporting role from Mathieu Amalric, star of The Diving Bell and The Butterfly (2007), Quantum of Solace (2008) and the more recent On Tour (2010).

Having directed a handful of films, Giannoli shows signs of a promising career with The Singer, which is his third feature-length film.

All in all, the film is a brilliantly realised, brilliantly acted, character study with a pinch of romance. It's a subtle and affecting drama, memorable for Depardieu's fantastic lead performance, which once again confirms his versatility and his rightful place among France's finest ever actors.