Charles Aznavour personified French cool in real life and this is beautify conveyed in the French Film Festival movie, Monsieur Aznavour.
Naturally I was aware of the iconic Charles Aznavour but I had no idea of his upbringing or what he went through to get to the top.
The film starts in the 1920’s with Aznavour (Tahar Rahim) as a young boy growing up in poverty. Despite the hardship his parents create a loving household full of music, dancing and friendship.
As a young man he disappears into his own word of song writing, songs that soon find an audience through his friend Pierre (Bastien Bouillon), and Edith Piaf. While he craves the spotlight for himself, he’s overlooked due to his raspy tenor voice and short stature.
But seeing something in the ambitious young man, Piaf (Marie-Julie Baup) takes him under her wing, setting him up as her opening act. Life is everything he wanted.
It’s not long before he wants more, which is a bit of a problem as he’s now married with a child. But the call of stardom is greater than family and so his journey to the top begins.
Highly ambitious and a fierce negotiator he lets nothing get in his way. Driving him on is the constant reminder of his father’s words, “think not where you come from, but where you are now”.
The biographical film depicts a highly ambitious man who beat poverty, racism and stereotypes to become one of the worlds best-loved entertainers.
As the audience watched vision of the real Aznavour at the end of the film I pondered:
- The film is yet another example of someone reaching the top only to find it a soulless, empty place;
- It’s another reminder of the single-minded selfishness required to make it to the top;
- Historical footage cements the harrowing squalor of his earlier life;
- Rahim and Baup do a stunning job at depicting Aznavour and Piaf. Meanwhile the Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Junior choices were interesting, drawing a giggle from the audience.
For more information go to Luna Cinemas.
-
overall
