Product Description Alain Renais (Last Year at Marienbad) delightful new period musical comedy is based on a 1925 Parisian Operetta and stars Audrey Tautou (A Very Long Engagement), Isabelle Nanty (Amelie) and Lambert Wilson (The Matrix sequels). .com A frothy 1925 operetta, performed by a glittering cast that includes Sabine Azema and Audrey Tautou, might not sound precisely like the great director Alain Resnais's glass of champagne. But Not on the Lips (Pas sur la bouche) is in a line of Resnais films that uses false sets and stylized acting for its effect. This musical farce follows a wife (Azema) trying to keep her husband (Pierre Arditi) from learning that she was actually married once before--to an American who is about to become hubby's business partner. Awkward. Audrey Tautou, in a distinctly supporting role, navigates the trickery of flirtation as she tries to attract lounge lizard-y Jalil Lespert. Azema and Arditi are smooth as glass, but the standout here is Lambert Wilson (the French dude of the Matrix saga) as the tall, cigar-smoking American businessman, who disdains the un-hygenic dangers of kissing on the lips. Wilson's delivery of English phrases and his American-accented French is spot-on--you can hear the joke even if you don't speak French. The lightness of touch is maintained throughout, however gently the director of Last Year at Marienbad may be prodding at the undercurrents of Franco-American hostility (which probably seemed more loaded in 2004 than in 1925) and marital anxiety. --Robert Horton
W**N
clever, funny, great fun - even for a guy who thought he'd never enjoy a musical
I got this film because I adore Audrey Tautou (Amelie, Priceless, Coco before Chanel, A Very Long Engagement) and would gladly watch two hours of her being filmed peeling potatoes or reading names from an old Paris phonebook.The truth is though this thing is great fun. I've watched it several times now and it still delights. It is filmed like a stage play. The music is witty and the cast is superb. It is a broad farce much like an English drawing-room comedy, but of course being French it's a bedroom comedy too. As one would expect, it's about romance, love and marriage. The moral seems to be that petty deceits and indiscretions are an inevitable part of life and as long as you love well and your friends are discreet, everything turns out well in the end. It helps to have enough French to follow the lyrics and dialogue, but the subtitles are quite good. If you are a romantic I think you'll enjoy this fluffy confection.
C**R
Fantasic musical comedy, so fun!
This is a delicious bit of froth, probably my favorite musical comedy. Alain Resnais shot this so out of left field from his usual greats that British critics had a hard time forgiving him for doing the unexpected, creating a classic French comedy. The setting is the 1920's, the music is beautiful, the actors were impecably selected. And Alain Resnais! What more need be said.
P**.
Do u like/love opera?
Usually like French movies,but truly thought the online write-up said," based on a French operatic farce.It i-s an opera--- eek! All dialogue sung! There r more than a few funny moments,building as it goes on---- and in-- and on.The English subtitles fly by @ pretty much breakneck speed( had 3-4 cups coffee,to keep up??Really have to be in a mood for this.
G**Y
Nostalgic French Musical of the Twenties
Ah..how we miss the naughty twenties. This 1920's operatta brings back those times with catchy French tunes and saucy puns. Mix a little George Gershwin, Charly Chaplin, and Maurice Chevalier. The film is fluffy and light; Sabine Azema is magnificent in her gorgeous gowns. The movie won't satisfy the taste of everyone but for those who miss charm and good clean fun in contemporary cinema, give this one a whirl. I liked it.
P**A
Classical French musical. Enjoy!
Light and pleasant musical. French makes it even more interesting to enjoy.
S**L
Excellent product and service
Excellent product and service. This is really funny and heartfelt movie.it is very french musical with English subtitles available. But it has a good and funny but romantic plot. I liked it.
T**R
A Gallic charmer from Resnais
One of those French directors who can seemingly turn his hand to any subject, Alain Resnais has made everything from the hauntingly enigmatic 'Last Year At Marienbad' to gangster flick 'Stavisky'. He's toyed with making partial musicals twice before with 'On Connait La Chanon' and 'Life Is A Bed Of Roses', but here he turns out the real deal, with a charming romantic comedy sung and performed by the cream of France's actors. Although filled with perky songs, it's a traditional chamber piece played out in quite claustrophobic interiors. If you enjoyed '8 Women', you'll probably love it.
A**S
Ok product. Good seller.
Four stars because I don't like the cover. I feel that it doesn't really show the greatness of this musical (lovely musical with Audrey Tautou - light and fun). Otherwise, arrived on time. Product was described as "used - very good" and I'd say the product I received matched the description. Cover was very lightly damaged toward the bottom of the dvd.
T**X
Foreign Language Learning Through Film
This film was a 2004 César Nominee in numerous categories and a Winner in three, including Meilleur Acteur dans un Second Rôle (Best Actor in a Supporting Role) for Darry Cowl. Musicals are not my favorite but the film is visually sumptuous and the actors put in such a fine effort (especially Lambert Wilson!) that I'd say it is more of a hit than a miss.
L**R
Four Stars
4/5
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