The Last Diamond (E)

Simon is released from prison on Parole. Old habits never die and he is on a plot to steal the most valuable diamond. He is smart, intelligent and a crook. Combination for a super smart  heist of most protected diamond. What is more beautiful and classy  Julia  (Berenice Bejo ) is the women who holds the key to the safe.

What follows, as you can guess, is ingenuity, smartness, seduction and a smart act. Although plans seldom go where the planner wants it.

This is a polished and quintessential French flick. Classic French movie underplaying and tells the story as it is. It is a gripping movie with a straight down the line and subdued yet livley performance by Yvan Attal (Simon) and Berenice Bejo.  Good winter night escape. Watch it.

SBS DEMAND

Rating: MA15 Adult themes.

La Famille Bélier (French)

La Famille Bélier  released as The Bélier Family in Australia) is a 2014 French comedy-drama. The film received six nominations at the 40th César Awards, winning Most Promising Actress for Louane Emera.  She has turned in a classic performance and in a such a breezy style, only French movie actors and actresses can.

In village, a farming family of father, mother, daughter and son are all deaf except the daughter and she can sing, sing very well.

This is a lovely French movie and as good as it gets. Rarely I understand or like French songs but loved the song Je Vole.

It has every thing,  family, humour, love, passion and in French style. It feels like a teem movie at times but is a real feel good escapism for weary  Friday nights.

SBS Demand.

Rating MA15+ (sexual reference)

Les Femmes du 6ème étage (French)–Women on the 6th floor

Monsieur Joubert (played wonderfully by  Fabrice Luchini) is not your every day French romantic hero. He is the garden variety, middle aged man with bulges appearing every where. He is a successful stockbroker who takes a human interest on the Spanish maids who live on the 6th floor of his apartment building introduced by his maid Maria (Natalia Verbeke). With the maids he finds normal and happy life in contrast to his own reserved upper class French mediocrity.

The movie is classic French. There are no curtains, violins, candle lights and unwanted emotional over dose. It portraits the drama as it is. Straight and simple. There lies the beauty of French film making and this is a lovely.

Good movie for Friday night.

Rating: M (sexual reference, adult themes)

De l’autre côté du lit (English: Changing Sides) – FRENCH

This crisp French comedy is about married couple, Hugo (Danny Boon) and Ariane (Sophie Marceau, gorgeous), who want to change the nuptial banality and  agree to exchange their professional lives. She becomes the executive to control a building rental company and he takes up his wife’s door-to-door jewellery  sales job along with household chores. Outrageous comedy which keeps the viewer laughing. Ah!, the French, how do they make such simple and sublime movies.

Start the fire, sit comfortably on a cold winter days and get thoroughly warmed and relaxed.

Farewell My Queen – French

Ever wonder how aristocracy lived and functioned. Here is a comfortable window seat to watch the happenings in Versailles, with no less than Marie Antoinette  (Diane Kruger) reigning supreme.

July 1789. French revolution is knocking at the door and the last days of Marie Anotoinette as seen through the eyes of her loyal book reader the young  Sidonie Laborde (Léa Seydoux) is the core of the movie.  Through in the Queen’s  ‘special relationship’ with the Duchess of Polignac (Virginie Ledoyen) you have a riveting movie which winds the the clock back and takes you to an era of grandeur.

Brilliantly directed by Benoît Jacquot, the movie captures the pomp, opulence, lavishness, and inner working of the palace.  Like many French movies, this one grips you by the scruff and keeps you engaged and entertained. The costumes, the sets and the cinematography creates a magnificent visual treat, You forget you are watching a movie and are transported to a real life drama unfolding in front of your eyes. Sheer magic. I enjoyed watching the movie thoroughly and wanted it not to finish when it did.

Léa Seydoux  delivers a lively performance and joins my list of favorite French actresses. Simple, elegant and chic.