{Saturday Night at the Movies} Some French Fancies!

Hello my darlings!! A BIG thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes, I had a really great day & I will share all of that on Monday. But, today I am here again with some movies for you :) I decided to pick some favourite French movies this time, these are however just the tip of the iceberg with French films, there are so many wonderful ones to watch. French films are my favourite in foreign films, the charm and wit comes in buckets. I'll most likely end up sharing more French films some other time as I have many favourites! And to any of my French readers, feel free to share some of your favourites to, as I'm always looking for more great ones to see :) I hope you enjoy the movies this month & have a gorgeous weekend, I'll be back on Monday!!

Enjoy

Love loves

xoxoxoxoxoxox

P.S. If any of the trailers don't work due to being in another country, you may have to type it into a search on your own & it should bring up a version you can watch on your country's youtube. Hopefully it will be ok though & these movies are sub-titled for any of you that can't speak French.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc - Sec

{French Title: Les aventures extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec}
Official Trailer

I just happened to catch this movie on a weekend stuck inside for some reason that I can't remember now, but I had never seen it and it sounded completely like something that I'd love & I wasn't wrong. It was quirky, vintage and dream-like all at once. Directed by the fantastic Luc Besson and based on the comic series of the same name. It finds the title character, the intrepid authoress Adèle Blanc-Sec ( Louise Bourgoin) desperate to cure her near catatonic sister. She braves ancient Egyptian tombs and modern Egyptian lowlife to locate a mummified doctor and get him back to Paris. Her hopes is that this oddball Professor Espérandieu will then use his special powers to bring the mummified doctor to life so he, in turn, can use his centuries-old skills on the unfortunate sister. In Paris however, Espérandieu is already causing mayhem, having brought to life what was a safe museum egg but is now a very active pterodactyl. You learn that Paris 1911 may not be the healthiest place to be. The movie is a completely quirky rollercoaster, with a surprising ending. I actually really loved it. It reminded me of the same kind of quirky (maybe even a bit more of it) you found and loved in Amele. 

4 out of 5 hearts. Hot Hot Heart. (only because it may not be for everyone & it can be a bit out of control at times, but I personally loved it, It's not for everyone, some may love it and others may think - 'what did I just watch? So, I took that into consideration. But personally I love films like that & loved this film. So, if you can take a chance on quirky, watch this film) ♥♥♥♥

La Vie en Rose

{French Title: La môme}
Official Trailer

A non-chronological account of the life of the iconic French talent, Edith Piaf. I first came to know of her when I heard one of her songs playing in the background of an advert & just had to know who it was, only to find myself left completely entranced by her whole being. At the time, I couldn't speak or understand a word of French properly, but it didn't matter, hearing songs like 'Non, Je ne regrette rien' & the heart aching 'L'Hymne a l'amour' said all my heart needed to hear & I quickly set out drowning myself in anything and everything about her and her life. I didn't actually see this movie until after I went to Paris for the first time & visited her grave. But, it made the movie even more alive for me. It begins with her life in a brothel as a young girl left to the care of her grandmother who runs the place after her father takes her away from her narcissistic mother. Piaf (played by the amazing Marion Cotillard) undergoes significant health problems and grows up singing on the streets. The movie pulses back and forth in unusual biopic rhythms through pivotal moments in Piaf's life turning up regularly only to be smacked aside by the unseen hand of perpetual misfortune. You meet the important people that cross her path during her life, the impresario (Gerard Depardieu) who recognises her great but raw talent, the heavy-weight fighter Marcel Cerdan, who becomes the love of her life but, can't be with her. Drug addiction, random car accidents, tax problems, everything topped by an unnerving revelation in it's final moments. After watching you kind of wish they had expanded more & not had such a heavy concentration of bad news squeezed into 140 minutes, but apart from that, you can't ignore the astonishing performance given by Cotillard, she completely threw herself into Piaf & that made the whole film worth watching again and again. I completely loved it & have seen it quite a few times now. It made me seek out all that I could learn about Piaf myself and love her music that much more. I just love Edith Piaf & this movie to!

4 out of 5 hearts. Hot Hot Heart. (Because even though I loved the film, I felt more could have gone into it and not so much of the back and forth - flash back feel the movie gives) ♥♥♥♥

Untouchable

{French title: The Intouchables}
Official Trailer

I saw this movie for the first time last month. I didn't know anything about it, but took a chance and watched it. I really enjoyed it too, it was funny and heartwarming at the same time. Based on a true story, it presents an uptight Gallic millionaire paraplegic and his arab-born carer. Philippe (Francois Cluzet) is a filthy rich aristocrat & wheelchair bound quadriplegic, living in his Paris mansion surrounded by his efficient silent staff. When Driss (Omar Sy) an impoverished, street-smart and homeless drifter enters the scene (only to get his benefit authorised)  at an interview for the position of Philippe's carer, Philippe decides that Driss is just what he's needing. Throughout the movie life lessons are learned, laughs come in buckets and even some tears. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The chemistry between the two main characters was marvellous, it was as if they had been friends for many years before the film had been made. Be prepared to laugh & feel your heart warmed!!

5 out of 5 hearts. Sizzling Heart. (Because I thought it was excellent from start to finish, it made me laugh, tar up and the end was un-expected. The casting was even un-expected, which made me love it even more. It was just a fantastic film) ♥♥♥♥♥

Angel-A

Official Trailer

I decided to throw this one in here again since we're talking French films. I shared it on my other blog, but since most of you wouldn't have seen it, I added this one in as an extra because I love this movie so much. It's about down and out man (played by Jamel Debbouze) who's just returned to Paris in the hopes of making some easy money, give up his life of petty crime and start his life over as an honest man in America. Only in Paris for a few hours, he finds himself dangling over the edge of the Eiffel Tower begging for his life. With his underworld dealing catching up with him, Andre is given only 24 hours to save his life. He begs the police for help, but of no use, he sees no other way out but to end his life. Going to jump off the bridge and into the Seine, he spots a beautiful and mysterious woman (Rie Rasmussen) next to him. Despite trying to beg her not to jump, she lets go and he jumps in after her. He saves her life and she pledges to help him in any way she can. Andre is skeptical. Throughout the movie Angela helps Andre find the courage to see the good deep inside himself and actually for the first time love the person he is. Andre, who has never been the hero, must believe he can stand up for himself  & make Angela believe he has actually fallen in love with her. Love is not the word I can give enough to this movie, I LOVE this movie. I first watched it at a very hard time in my life where loving myself wasn't easy at all & after watching...I sort of felt this new life and way of thinking towards myself that I hadn't before. I cried, I laughed and was very moved by this film. Shot all in black and white...it's just achingly beautiful. It's a perfect mix of heartfelt emotions & action, something that can be enjoyed by both men and women alike. You really mustn't miss this film.

5 out of 5 hearts. Sizzling Heart. (Because there was no way I couldn't fall in love with this movie and feel great after. Perfect casting, cinematography from start to finish, it laughs in the face of any Hollywood film, definitely a favourite movie now) ♥♥♥♥♥

Enjoy & Have a great weekend dolls!!

♥