Preview: Paris 36 (2009)

Synopsis:

A Parisian Vaudeville stage is shut down, yet turmoil within the city and the nation encourage a re-opening in this musical film about entertainment as a way of enlivening the masses.

• Poster: B-

Review:

What I like most about the poster is the art surrounding the central image. What I dislike is the five-picture images arrayed across the bottom (though, I do like how some of the images escape their frames) and the colors of the dress of the singer paired with the brightness of the Chansonia.

• Trailer: A-

Review:

Musicals that are inventive and colorful always catch my attention. This one seems like an interesting set of production numbers created by a director who obviously knows the genre quite well. While it looks a bit like Moulin Rouge! at times and Mrs. Henderson Presents at others, it should at least hold the viewers interest long enough to play later into the year.

Oscar Prospects:

Not only could I see this as an Oscar contender for Foreign Language Film, I could also see this following Les Choristes into other Oscar nominations and perhaps becoming a bigger hit with the Oscars than Amélie was, earning nods in the music categories, Art Dirction, Costume Design and Cinematography and then some. And with Sony Pictures Classics in charge of US distribution, this should be one of their bigger pushes for the Oscars.

Release Date:

• April 3, 2009

Full Review Synopsis:

A simplistic, uncomplicated multi-storied exploration of the French depression.

• Full Review: Faubourg 36

-Wesley Lovell (February 22, 2009) Original

-Wesley Lovell (April 4, 2010) Added Review Link