Alain Moreau sings for one of the few remaining dance-bands in Clermont-Ferrand. Though something of an idol amongst his female audience he has a melancholic awareness of the slow disappearance of that audience and of his advancing years. He is completely knocked off balance when he meets strikingly attractive and much younger businesswoman Marion. She seems distant and apparently otherwise involved but soon shows quiet signs of reciprocating his interest.
Acting
Depardieu's physical vulnerability—he lets himself look ridiculous, then breaks your heart.
Direction
Giannoli lingers on empty dance halls like they're graveyards.
Score
Real chanson performances that ache with outdated longing.
Director
Xavier Giannoli
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Depardieu actually performed all his own singing live on set—no dubbing, despite not being a professional vocalist.
The 'bal musette' tradition depicted was nearly extinct by 2006; Giannoli filmed in real surviving venues that have since closed.
FR
