This film has just opened in theatres (on the 20th) in France less than a week ago.

Similar in idea and scope to LA MOME(released in English language countries as LA VIE EN ROSE) and covering the life and career of Edith Piaf, and won Marion Cotillard an Oscar for Best Actress, another biopic about one of France's most talented (yet vulgar) musicians finally hits the big screen - which I have been looking forward to seeing since seeing the preview pictures at Cannes last year and the teasers / trailers on Youtube in the last couple of months.

Trailer below:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih3qI6gVrm8

On a purely selfish and personal note, I always dread when a movie like this comes out and suddenly it becomes "cool" and "trendy" to like a performer or an idea, and people think that you are following a trend rather than actually having an individual interest and/or passion. I have been a fan of Gainsbourg and his oeuvre since my teenage years (over 20 years) and though it is great that his music and talent will be re-discovered, there will be a lot who will just "get on the band wagon" which to me diminishes some of my own passion and enthusiasm. It frustrates me on a personal level when my interests (which I think contribute to my individuality) become mainstream. You can't talk about Gnosticism these days without people saying "I've read/seen The Da Vinci Code". Grrrrr!

Casting looks excellent with players looking very like the personalities they are playing, Letitia Casta looks a dead ringer for BB, Elmosnino as Gainsbourg and Lucy Gordon looks and sounds (even when she sings) very like Jane B. Also the direction looks stylish, and reviews I have read so far have praised the film... that said, it is unlikely that those who don't understand French (even with English subtitles) will be able to understand the subtle plays on words and intricacies of his puns.