lucdrouin

It is not easy to be in awe about short films. They can present interesting ideas or speculations, but they are not long enough to prepare one to feel deep emotions. But "Dream of Aces" is the exception. Very powerful, it is a film about love: for the mentor, for the audience and for the art. The story is poignant, the acting from Jansenson playing himself is most touching, and everything in this film is simple, without bells and whistles. Of course, there is the card trick, but that isn't the star. The star is the story. The whole film fells like poetry. Congratulations to film director Emir Kumova.

This film is a precursor in court drama and suspense. It is also a clever criticism of French bourgeois society as symbolised by the gatherings of the city notables at the local pub or the main protagonist's wife.

It has been a long time since I had so much good simple fun watching a film. Aline is the story of a simple nice girl who is catapulted into fame and riches, thanks to her voice, her hard work, her determination, her capacity to endure pressure, her astute manager and later husband, and her dedicated mother. From the get-go, we are warned that artistic licence has been taken to inject humoristic elements into the narrative. So, instead of a stale documentary about Céline Dion, we are entertained with a funny biography of fictional Aline Dieu. Unless secondary humour eludes you, you are bound to have a good time. I give high marks to this film, not for its cinematography that is well conducted but not exceptional, but for its skilfulness to elicit positive feelings about the heroin. You will never think the same way about Céline after watching Aline, you might even love her.