Stately Depardieu

The Singer (Quand j’étais chanteur) (2006)
Duration: 112 minutes
Directed by: Xavier Giannoli
Starring: Gérard Depardieu/Cécile De France/Mathieu Amalric/Christine Citti/Patrick Pineau/Alain Chanone
KRS release

Gérard Depardieu has become a symbol of French cinema. With well over 70 films up his sleeve, an Academy Award nomination, a Golden Globe and two Césars, besides countless other honours, he has become more than just an actor. The Singer reaffirms his talent. The drama unfolds around the actor in an unhurried pace and he leaves space for the cast ensemble to breathe and develop their characters.

Mr Depardieu is Alain Moreau, a middle-aged nightclub singer who also does the provincial dance halls circuit and who has quite a following. One day he meets Marion (Cécile De France), a young estate agent who is at the club with her boss Bruno (Mathieu Amalric). She is not head over heels with Alain but he’s smitten with her. However, the two end up making love on that first night, which will touch the two characters in very different ways.

The following morning Alain is happy and jolly while Marion is confused and regretful. Marion is also a single mother who has trouble connecting with her son. This relationship with a middle-aged lothario is not what she thinks she needs. But Alain is not happy to drop this relationship and thus he decides to move house and gets her to be his estate agent so as to monopolise her time. The relationship that blossoms between them is less about lust and more platonic. This will invariably bring feelings from Alain’s ex: Michèle (Christine Citti) who also acts as his manager and is in a relationship of her own. The question that matters is how Alain and Marion will develop as persons and how will their relationship – if there is to be one – develop.

Mr Depardieu invests a lot of his onscreen charm into Alain. He fills his shoes quite well as he brings along a seasoned quality to his character, a feeling that this is a man who has been around the block quite a few times and has the emotional scars to prove it. Middle age has certainly left its mark but rendered Alain’s character no less charming or interesting. He also comes brimming with a certain nostalgic feel that is evidenced in his songs, performances and his view on life. Cécile De France plays Marion with a simplicity that belies the complexities that pepper her life. Her performance with Depardieu emanates a sense of tangible emotions, fragility and a true sense of development.

Xavier Giannoli’s direction is as neat and laid back as possible. One senses that he has given the actors space but at the same time he is keeping them steady in their role without showing too much overt control.

The way he uses his wide shots provides the film with an added emotional perspective. By the end the audience will feel quite rewarded as The Singer gives them the chance to connect with the characters on a very real level.