http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1329457/
In nazi occupied Paris, early 1940s, a young french/jewish boy named Lucien Ginsburg grows up. In his mind, wich later into the movie is told in a specific way, he thinks it is a tragic that he ain´t mentioned in the newspaper. In time he would become a legend, a real rock´n roll personality. His music was Jazz, pop, rock, reggae, electro, yé-yé and his name became Serge Gainsbourg.
Eric Elmosnino is Serge Gainsbourg, a man driven with a great passion, but what was his greatest passion in life; his music, his women, the alcohol or cigarettes?
Now this ain´t a thriller, so that question is somehow missplaced. I´m not a monumental Gainsbourg fan or know how he lived, but everyone has certainly heard Je t'aime... moi non plus (a link will be posted below to the original music video) and either we love that kind of music or understand french, there is no denying that it is one of the most provocing songs ever recorded. And that is what makes it such a erotic and sensual and beautiful song.
Young Serge, here as Lucien
Now the movie is not only about this song, we follows Serge from his early life where he starts to fantasize about women and somehow creates an alter ego.
He meets a lot of women - we got to see a lot of female and male nudity during his life.
Gainsbourg was not only a brilliant musician and a legend in his time, the movie should be mentioned in the same caliber as Sid & Nancy, Backbeat and Imagine - wich are in my opinion the best movies about music and/or musicians. This is a loving and comicbook kind of tribute to the legend of Gainsbourg.
Serge and his alter ego
And speaking of legends, Brigitte Bardot (Laetitia Casta) has a short romance with Serge. They actually recorded the songs Harley Davidson, Bonnie and Clyde, Initials BB and Comic Strip. During a recording session Brigette wakes up and asks; Is there any croissants? Serge answers back; No, but I got 3 songs.
In the early life Serge (or to be honest, Eric Elmosninos charisma) reminds me more of a shy and clumpsy Mr Bean and I thought to myself, ok this might be a boring french comedy/drama/biography. In all honesty I bought this becouse of Mylène Jampanoï are playing Bambou and I´m a completist so…
And as further into the movie we get I totally forgot why I bought the dvd in the first place. I checked the time and there was only 40 minutes left and no sign of Mylène..
But Serge, he transformes into a hybrid of Noel Gallagher* from oasis (check the police scene on his way to an concert) and I guess Serge Gainsburg in some way - atleast how Joann Sfar sees him.
As the movie goes along we follow Serge down to his final performance more or less. A quote from the movie is also a quote in some way of his life
- This was exspensive
- I was ready to ruin myself.
Joann Sfar has not only written and directed the movie, he has also made a comic novel (wich the movie is based on) on Gainsbourgs life. Or, to quote Joann; ” J´aime trop Gainsbourg pour le ramener au reél. Ce ne sont pas les vérités de Gainsbourg qui m´intéressent ce sont ses mensonges.”
Translated - ”I´m not interested in the truth about Gainsbourg, but in the lies.”
Oh, almoust forgot, when Mylène Jampanoï do makes her appearance, she does it with passion and a light that glows over her just like a real star, or better yet, that Only stars can.
Mylène Jampanoï as Bambou
Either you´re not into french (or none speaking english movies) Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque) is a movie to watch and to enjoy to the fullest. Not only for the cinematic experience but becouse Serge Gainsbourg enjoyd life to his fullest and last breath.
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Do you want me to write you a dirty song?
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Teaser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOFf1ReiIx0
Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHiMDB19Dyc
More on Serge Gainsbourg
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/photography/7879711/Serge-Gainsbourg-by-those-who-knew-him-best.html
http://wfmu.org/~bart/sg.html
Trivia
Serge Gainsburg recorded "Aux Armes et cetera” In Jamaica in 1978. A reggae version of the French national anthem "La Marseillaise", with Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar, and Rita Marley.
*Noel Gallagher has also once said that he should rewrite the english national anthem, this he said during the time when Don´t look back in anger and Wonderwall became the unofficial anthem for England. Noel however to this day has not (yet) recorded an new unofficial english anthem.
An interview on Joann Sfar about his work and the movie. Note that it is in french
http://videos.lefigaro.fr/video/iLyROoafY8-_.html
The vatican in Rome - Italy- banned Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus back in 1968 due to ”immoral nature of the song”. Why? With lyrics like this "Je vais et je viens, entre tes reins" translated "I go and I come, in between your loins" we do can understand how the rest of the song was inturpurated back in the days.
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