MovieChat Forums > Populaire (2013) Discussion > Don't believe the hype

Don't believe the hype

posted 11 years ago by PoppyTransfusion
12 replies | jump to latest

The advertisements for this film cite its similarity to Mad Men and The Artist. It shares with Mad Men the styling and period - the late 1950's. But that is all. It shares with The Artist Berenice Bejo and the generic guy gets girl tale. That's all. I wish that distributors didn't lie and insult the viewing public.

OK, for the film. It's amazingly stylish, slightly kitsch (I think John Waters would approve some of the scenes, especially the typing competitions) and has an amazing soundtrack. I saw the film with a Q/A featuring the director, Deborah Francois and Romain Duris. Apparently the director is a devotee of the period and is exacting to the last; a 'continuity expert's' dream! The acting is good although I didn't quite buy Romain Duris as his character and didn't enjoy the close-ups of his face, sorry! The story is unusual; a romance that develops from speed typing compeitions, the latter are played to humorous effect. There are other elements to the story as well that could be overlooked such as the education of Rose through the typing, Rose's desire for a relationship based on equality and her emphasis on the modern.

I'd watch it again and if a soundtrack's available I'll buy it. 8/10

Away with the manners of withered virgins

[–] lalinea97 11 years ago

To me it felt very similar to the Artist. It's almost the exact same experience. I would think the percentage of people who liked one of these movies but not the other is extremely small.

French romantic comedy, flawed proud hero, younger fresh goody-two shoes heroine, set in a specific time period of the past, displaying the technology of that time period as it's main focus, as well as having lots of fun with the fashion ... SPOILERS even down to details of the guy being the big man at first who helps the girl, which makes her a star. She then lives the glamorous life while he wallows in self chosen loneliness, though she always loves him and would welcome him with open arms the second he would finally come around. Not every guy gets girl tale goes exactly like that, but those two sure do. That's kind of a lot.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 11 years ago

You make some good points as to why this film might be likened to The Artist although that would depend on one's view of The Artist. It doesn't sit with mine but might with others, like yourself. Still there's a danger in marketing film as being a mix of The Artist and Mad Men when it's neither, some similarities aside.

Never test the depth of the water with both feet

[–] Ambrosia-I 11 years ago

I'm going to see this today and I'm looking forward to it so I'm glad of your positive reviews. I like Romain Duris and it sounds like a bit of a change of pace for him or at least from what I've seen him in before. From the descriptions on here, it sounds a bit like those Rock Hudson-Doris Day films from the 1950s.

[–] richie_patrese 11 years ago

I liked it. I think the film is very much an homage to 1950s romantic comedies and plays the corn card rather heavily - but to good effect.

Since Mad Men and The Artist are / were hugely popular, I can see why the film's producers would lazily make that comparison in order to get bums on seats.

Best not to go in expecting anything challenging though - don't think my girlfriend was as satisfied with the upbeat love story as I was!

[–] ceckis 11 years ago

I had no clue they were promoting with those tag words. I landed to this movie because of Romain Duris and the trailer in French. It seemed a funny easy movie. In fact I had a great time and it could be PG if it were not for that unnecessary sex scene.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 11 years ago

I thought the sex scene was unnecessary too and didn't fit with the overall feel of the film.

Keep silent unless what you are going to say is more important than silence.

[–] magnoliaspringsal 11 years ago

Mlle, 8/10 pour un Rom-Com! Vous?

I thought the period pieces were astounding... the cars, the music, the eyeglass frames and especially the costumes. Even Romain Duris' hairstyle, which must have contributed to him being able to keep his mouth closed.

Who would have thought that an engaging movie could be produced over a typewriter? It was very well done... Pygmalian with a Remington!!

[–] PoppyTransfusion 11 years ago

The director really has an eye for detail. He spoke about it during the Q/A and that shows from the sets, costumes and implements in the film. Apparently the Populaire typewriter was made for the film though ...

Duris's mouth was always slightly open in this film! It really irked me.

I've marked the film down to 7/10 since my original post but I do like it and will watch it again at some point in the future.

Pygmalian with a Remington!!

Why do you refuse to remember me?

[–] daybeausweeper 8 years ago

Glad to see your post, Sal. I had been wondering why Pygmalian hadn't been mentioned in any of the threads so far.

[–] Spinners1961 11 years ago

Saw it this week (thank God for the Taliesin!) and have just ordered the Blu-Ray. Yes. It's that good.

[–] jayhawk-18 10 years ago

I really wanted to like this film, it oozed style and sensuality, it was beautifully lit, had amazing colours and had a camp element. Very much like Almodovar.

I found however it was trying to crowd in too many plotlines and was weighed down with overly serious themes (I mean, c'mon, the French resistance?) to the point I couldn't wait for them to wrap things up towards the end. They could easily have left out the piano lessons, his family or his continued attraction to his former fling.

With a more focused script and tighter editing this would have been quite the charmer. As it was, it overstayed its welcome by a good 20 minutes or so.

[–] lulupalooza 10 years ago

@PoppyTransfusion,

It shares with Mad Men the styling and period - the late 1950's.

Actually, the film taked place in early 50's - 1954, as indicated on the typing contest flyer.

Apparently the director is a devotee of the period and is exacting to the last; a 'continuity expert's' dream!

Apparently the song "Le tango des illusions” that she used for the couple and family dance scenes, actually came out after 1962. So...not so much maybe? ;)

"Don't get chumpatized!" - The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)