Review of Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life (2010) by Andrew P — 10 Aug 2010

As the name suggests, a fictionalised biopic of Serge Gainsbourg (or Lionel, as his family preferred to know him), with surreal elements. Sylish, amusing and at times rather bizarre - a film which could only have been made in France.

Features, at crucial moments, a giant puppet-Serge alter ego, observing events or even replacing the real Serge while he has a rest. I suspect that this is the sort of film which the viewer will like or hate (I rather liked it).

At the very least an Oscar is due for services to the tobacco industry â?? never have more cigarettes been smoked by one man in the course of a single film....