Mes meilleurs copains

Jean-Marie Poire gave us the immortal Le Pere Noel est une ordure, for which we are forever in his debt. This is a less inspired (less wickedly satirical) film about five men and a girl whose lives we follow from the 60's to the 80's. The Big Chill comes to mind, owing to the socio-political commentary that runs throughout.

Louise Portal plays the rock singer who had the drive and talent to succeed in the big time when her bandmates were content to raise hell in left-wing agitprop sessions in factories, cafes, etc. She's a staple in Quebec films and TV; it was good to see her versatility. Gerard Lanvin has the Kevin Kline part: wife, kids, who needs the aggravation of adolescent angst relived. Jean-Pierre Darroussin is great as the aging hippy who seems a little brain-damaged. Jean-Pierre Bacri is one of my favorite actors; here he is a gay man who just can't get his emotional life in gear, although he's making lots of money shooting commercials.

Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side has been used often enough in soundtracks; here it's very apt, as Bacri's motif. All the songs were well chosen.