Directed by Christophe Barratier
Chansonia is a run down music hall in a quaint suburb of pre-war Paris. The beginning of the film establishes the political undercurrent at the time, with the fascists growing in strength. The left-wing workers are also gathering together and going on a general strike in order to gain some rights. When the local mob boss takes over the musical theatre, he closes it down, leaving a group of people depressed and destitute. Barratier, who directed Les Choistes (The Chorus), doesn’t overly complicate things and even though the political situation bubbles in the background, he concentrates on the theatre people.
Stagehand Pignoil (Gerard Jugnut) is the most effected because his lack of employment means that when his wife returns from gallivanting, he loses custody of his son until he can find a steady job. Actually, at the beginning of the film, we learn that Pignoil has killed someone but, supported by idealist Milou (Clovis Cornillac) and flawed comedian Jacky (Kad Merad), Pignoil decides to occupy the theatre and recreate its glory days. Thank goodness for newcomer Douche (Nora Arnezeder) whose attractiveness and angelic voice ensure ticket sales. However, throw a pretty girl into the mix and all sorts of trouble can result.
This is a relatively light-weight film, with the director purposefully choosing to take the old fashioned approach to shooting it. The sets are very one dimensional and the lighting gives each scene the artificiality that would be created on a stage. The performances are excellent, though somewhat schmaltzy and certainly very camp. My only disappointment was that the film takes its time before the singing and dancing is actually centre stage. By the time it takes over the film, the romance and the lingering danger all work together to have you cheering for the ensemble of whimsical characters.
***
