MovieChat Forums > Laurence Anyways (2013) Discussion > Poupaud's French

Poupaud's French

posted 11 years ago by jm10701
8 replies | jump to latest

Does Melvil Poupaud speak Canadian French in this movie? I assume Suzanne Clément does since she's Canadian and the movie takes place in Canada. In the scene where Laurence tells his mother (Nathalie Baye) his secret, she mentions their having left Europe, and I wondered if Dolan put that in the script to explain why Laurence speaks European French (if he does).

Although I don't speak French, I've seen enough French movies that sometimes I can tell the difference between Canadian and European French, but I can't in this one. As far as I can tell, Poupaud and Clément are speaking the same dialect. I assume a native speaker of French from either continent can tell the difference as easily as I can between British and American English, so answering this question should be easy for somebody. Thanks.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jacklewisstamp 11 years ago

He speaks European French, he doesn't use any "Canadianisms" throughout the course of the film. He does have a fairly unusual European French accent though, in comparison to say his mum (Nathalie Baye)

[–] ItalianGreyhound 9 years ago

I think maybe as his character was an immigrant, Poupaud was trying to put both accents together. That's why his accent may sound a bit strange. You will also notice that Fred often uses the occasional English phrase in her dialogue, which is very typical for a Francophone Montrealer. Laurence, however, only does this once (in the scene with Fanny and Alexander).

[–] jean1938 9 years ago

<< which is very typical for a Francophone Montrealer >>

I am a Francophone Montrealer and you are wrong! 

 Jean*

[–] maybe-later 9 years ago

Half of my friends are Francophone Montrealers and most of them do this, but not all. I wouldn't say it's "very typical" but it also isn't uncommon.

[–] ItalianGreyhound 9 years ago

No, I am right. I am talking about the younger generation. Not ones on their way to 80 like you. 😘

[–] jean1938 9 years ago

Dans le fond man, t'as raison dude! (Ça te va comme ça?)

<< Sachez que les enfants sont plus jeunes que bien des vieillards! >> - Érik Satie


 Jean*

[–] cthulhulurks 9 years ago

He spoke a european French and it was very noticeable especially in the scenes with Fred.

His character's last name's Alia which can be loosely translated as 'Aliens'.

This is very true that Montreallers use some English expressions instead of corresponding French phrases.

'That's it'.

my vote history:
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur13767631/ratings