Liliane (Isabelle Huppert) has a very dull life. She works at the pate factory, eats meals by herself and watches television quiz shows. It's been like this for many years and what her co-workers don't know is that she used to be 'Laura'...France's Eurovision* music contest winner. Unfortunately, she was in the contest the same year as ABBA and so much for that! But a new co-worker, young Jean recognizes her as his father is a HUGE Laura fan. So he works on her to try to get her to agree to a benefit concert...which isn't easy because she's determined not to return to her old life. What's next? See this nice little romance and find out for yourself.
While Huppert is no great singer, she does a nice job with the songs written by Pink Martini--an amazing American group that sings in dozens of different languages and styles. They are the reason I was eager to see the film and while she's not even close to the quality of the lead, China Forbes, she is believable. A cute May-December romance that manages to have many of the usual clichés for the genre...but also manages to be just a bit better. Well worth seeing--especially with a loved one.
By the way, if you like this film you may also like "Iris Blonde", an Italian film about a man who was a Eurovision performer in his past as well.
*By the way, you don't hear them call the contest 'Eurovision' and I can only assume it has something to do with trademarks or the like. You also cannot use 'Olympic' for similar reasons.
