Review of Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life (2010) by Helene L — 01 Sep 2010

Behold a film about one of France's most controversial singers / songwriters / womanisers. What is true about most musician biopics applies here as well -- you have to like his music in order to fully appreciate the movie, which follows Serge Gainsbourg from growing up as a Jewish boy in Nazi occupied France, through his attempts at painting as a young adult, the launching of his music career as a bar pianist, then becoming a successful songwriter in the 60s, his scandalous affair with Brigitte Bardot, his ill-fated marriage to Jane Birkin, his release of "Je T'Aime ... Moi Non Plus" to his enraging of France's political right with a reggae version of "La Marseillaise".

Gainsbourg is clever, beautifully shot, stylish, dosed with romanticism, and deeply erotic. The scene of Bardot (Laetitia Casta) dancing around the piano with nothing but a bed sheet on is one of the sexiest female performances I have seen in a while. It has just the right amount of artsiness to astound your senses whilst remaining accessible to an average movie-goign crowd. One thing I did not understand was the 15+ rating. With full frontal nudity and ... well ... if you know anything about Serge Gainsbourg's life you'll understand exactly what I mean by "adult themes", I was expecting a more severe rating that that. Then again, the film is quite artsy and the only man whom Serge shoots in the head (in front of his children) is a mannequin, so... oh, sorry, was that a spoiler? Never mind.

If you are in a mood for some brilliant visuals and captivating storytelling I highly recommend that you see this film. Best off, with your partner, so that once the movie is over you can go home and reenact some of the film's scenes ... after a small detour to your local liquor store. Just be sure to put those cigarettes out before you hit the sheets.