L'homme est une femme comme les autres

A profound charming film. For humor, for fair use of a sort of nostalgia, for story, dialogue, performances . And, especialy, for beautiful, inspired, honest and gentle portrait of Jew community , from motherhood to the marriage, from the music - and the clarinet has significant role in structure of story - to the age, love, relations, truth versus apparences and loneliness. A great manner to explore , in seductive manner, difference and powerful emotions.

I first saw this film several years ago at a festival (Jewish film? gay film? French film? -- I can't be sure now) in New York and was enchanted. It has since been released on DVD (VERY cheap in France) and have had the pleasure of watching it several more times. To a non-Jewish gay man, currently living in France (me), it's extremely appealing. Antoine de Caunes has a delectable physique, amply on display in the opening scenes at one of Paris's many gay bathhouses -- adorably cute face, great torso, nice ass -- and in the wedding night scene -- where, if we are to believe the look on Elsa Zylberstein's face -- we find out that his cock is something to shout about as well. OK, there's the gay appeal -- and the story line is also quite acceptable: Simon is slowly convinced by the very charming Zylberstein that he may, indeed, be capable of finding satisfaction as her husband, but, ultimately, realizes that a leopard doesn't change his spots. The scenes in Brooklyn with her orthodox family are amusing, and the actress playing Simon's mother is chic and appealing. The only really unbelievable aspect of the film is the casting of less-than-thrilling Gad Elmaleh as the cousin with whom Simon is in love. He may have qualities that appeal to Simon, but the script does not reveal them, and his physical attractiveness is not (at least to my eyes) overwhelming. Have I overconcentrated on the gay element? Well, then, let me add that the music throughout is beautiful, both the klezmer clarinet and the Zylberstein character's singing (both dubbed by other performers). There is one highly original moment: listen to what happens at the moment when Zylberstein loses her virginity!

...but not exactly even-keeled, "Man is a Woman" didn't really solve any of its philosophical ideas or storylines. It tried to bring up how one man balances being gay and Jewish by having him marry for a bribe. It tried to show how a Reform Jewish family and an Orthodox Jewish family comes together to celebrate their children's wedding. It tried to show a gay man living in a straight man's world. It tried to show the myriad differences between men and women, and how they view relationships. It tried to show all of these things, but came up short on all counts. Maybe it had too many elements to hash out, and the writer(s) simply couldn't come up with plausible/logical conclusions?

Then there are the storylines: Simon's obvious love for his cousin David; Simon and Rosalie's marriage; Simon's marrying for a bribe. None of these were satisfactorily resolved. Because the philosophical ideas were all over the map, the stories couldn't be concluded, either. Most disappointing was Simon and Rosalie's marriage; there was no real conflict there, outside of the tension within her family (which, by the way, was neatly and quickly resolved, then thrown out the window as an afterthought). Rosalie suddenly gives up without really confronting the source of her discomfort--Simon. Thankfully, this wasn't really played up as a standard "gay man gets married and, through the love of a good woman, goes straight", but it turned in that direction (phooey). And since there really weren't any provisions attached when Simon's uncle first made his offer, I wasn't really surprised when he announced to Simon's mother he'd only pay after the birth of Simon and Rosalie's first child (I was expecting something more extreme, such as the child's 18th birthday). Then there was the scene where Simon was rehearsing what he wanted to say to his cousin David; having been there, I understand the preparation and tension involved, but this it went nowhere in this movie. It seems to have been inserted as an afterthought, as if to show Simon in a less-than favorable light (I thought he was more contemptable for having accepted his uncle's bribe).

Overall, it seems this was three separate storylines that were forceably woven together. There were a few enjoyable moments but nothing really to recommend it to others.

Obvious, it is a film who I love. For the graceful beauty of music, acting - Antoine de Caunes and Elsa Zyllberstein are just admirable - , for realism and old Jewish traditional life slices, for be just a beautiful film, not a pledge, not a manifesto or demonstration or lesson. And , sure, for the fair definition of family. Short, just beautiful.

i dont know what the two reviewers before me were watching, but i saw a very funny movie that had all the everyday emotions, feelings, thoughts. it didnt matter to me if some of scenes didnt work. it reminded me that some scenes in real life dont work either. bottom line...I LOVED THIS MOVIE. I LAUGHED MY ASS OFF.... AND NOTHING IS BETTER THEN LAUGHTER. GO, NO RUN TO SEE THIS MOVIE.