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Gérard Depardieu, Cécile De France, Mathieu Amalric, Christine Citti, Patrick Pineau ... see more see more... , Alain Chanone

A small-time crooner of sentimental ballads enters into a May-December romance with a fragile young real-estate agent in this low-key romantic drama starring Gérard Depardieu and Cécile de France. Fif... read more read more...ty-something Alain (Depardieu) is something of a local celebrity in Clermont-Ferrand, and few nights pass when the popular singer-of-standards doesn't exit the stage until well into the morning hours. But karaoke is making singers such as Alain a rare breed these days, and it seems as if his days under the spotlight may be numbered. One night, while serenading the audience from the stage, Alain spots beautiful and unfamiliar blonde Marian (de France) in the crowd. Though he eventually her to meet him the following day, the cautiously guarded Marian remains curiously immune to his charm. Nevertheless, Alain's quiet persistence and self-depreciating humor eventually pays off, and the two soon find themselves strangely drawn to one and other. As fate would have it, Marian is currently employed at a real estate company owned by Alain's friend Bruno (Mathieu Amalric) - who also has eyes for the emotionally troubled young woman. Though Alain's ex-wife and current manager Michele (Christine Citti) doesn't discourage the ageing singer's relationship with the younger woman, her concern with his apparently-waning career soon prompts her to consider how she will spend her own future. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

51% liked it

2,318 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

16 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Xavier Giannoli

Release Date: September 13, 2006

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Flixster Reviews (185)

  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    May 19, 2009
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Sometimes love can be found in the most unexpected places"

    Alain Moreau sings for one of the few remaining dance-bands in Clermont-Ferrand. Though something of an idol amongst his female audience he has a melancholic awareness of the slow disappearance of that audience... read more and of his advancing years. He is completely knocked off balance when he meets strikingly attractive and much younger businesswoman Marion.

    REVIEW

    On the basis of this one film, Xavier Giannoli seems like a limited director, one who can coax a good performance from an actor--or simply stand out of the way when it's the monumental Depardieu--but who shows little sense of style or drama. I lost count of the number of scenes that go nowhere, that serve only to bring out another of Alain Moreau's foibles. Why does the singer have to share scenes with a goat, for heaven's sake? Poor Mathieu Amalric: here's one of the most interesting actors in France, and his character can only open doors and make introductions.

    Gerard Depardieu is splendid, it's one of his five best career performances. He's entirely at ease, spinning his stories to the enchanted but watchful Cecile de France. To play Marion, she has had to turn down the Audrey Hepburn gamine quality; she's very effective in a few scenes.
  • romy861
    January 9, 2009
    romy861
    Nice movie about a much older man with a past who falls for young woman who doesn't fall for his charms. Both are sad characters who come to help each other in a strange sort of way.
  • patrickdol
    July 17, 2007
    patrickdol
    Simple and complicated, very engrossing. It's really interesting to see the life of these kind of singers. It's really sweet too and sad.

View All The Singer (Quand j'etais chanteur) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Derek Elley
May 30, 2006
Derek Elley, Variety

The Singer hits all its emotional gracenotes with spot-on pitch. Full Review

Rich Cline
September 29, 2007
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

Gentle humour and earthy emotion give this film a wonderfully relaxed tone that astutely captures our imagination. Full Review

Derek Malcolm
September 29, 2007
Derek Malcolm, This is London

Giannoli's film is as bitter as it is sweet and paints the scene with masterly precision, even if the usual comforting ending is at odds with what has gone before. Full Review

Anthony Quinn
September 29, 2007
Anthony Quinn, Independent

Depardieu, utterly relaxed, is a decent crooner, and what the film lacks in strong narrative it compensates for in charm and De France's odd loveliness. Full Review

Tim Robey
September 28, 2007
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph

Like watching an elephant mate with a gazelle. Full Review

Peter Bradshaw
September 28, 2007
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

The Singer requires a certain amount of sentimental indulgence, and indeed a specific fondness for French chansons to be really loved. Full Review

Ed Potton
September 28, 2007
Ed Potton, Times [UK]

Gerard Depardieu as the walrus of lurve chansons? It's unlikely, but it works. Full Review

Steve Watson
September 28, 2007
Steve Watson, Little White Lies

An interesting and unusual love story. Full Review

Rob Daniel
September 28, 2007
Rob Daniel, Sky Movies

A minor work for the famous Gallic acting export, The Singer still leaves a song in the heart. Full Review

Patrick Peters
September 28, 2007
Patrick Peters, Empire Magazine

Constantly confounding expectations, this is a film of heart and humour. Full Review

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