Le Bleu des villes (1999)
Directed by Stéphane Brizé

Film Review

Intelligent, witty and very true to life, Le Blue des villes (Stéphane Brizé's first full-length film) provides an entertaining yet rather touching portrait of mid-life crisis.  With a skilful blend of realism and comedy, the film tells a story which will easily strike a chord with anyone who is either living through or who has survived their angst-ridden "middle years".  Although it offers many laughs, it is a well-observed and rather moving film, the comic touches often serving to emphasise its prevailing melancholic tone.

In the role of Solange, the captivating Florence Vignon  reflects the frustrations, dreams and disappointments we may find in our own lives.   Vignon's performance is carefully restrained to emphasise her character's ordinariness and to emphasise the contrast with Mathilde Seigner's ebullient Marlène.  Both actresses give exceptionally good value in roles which match perfectly their natural personalities and which (thanks to an excellent script) allow them to show their considerable talent.   The same can also be said of Antoine Chappey, who plays Solange's ambitionless husband in a way that is simultaneously credible, depressing and cruelly hilarious.  The quality of the acting extends well into the supporting cast and this, combined with the convincing dialogue, gives the film its biting authenticity.

Film Synopsis

Traffic warden Solange has grown tired of her ordinary day-to-day existence in a dull provincial town.  Whilst her husband, Patrick, is perfectly content working as an assistant in a hospital morgue and decorating their new home, she yearns for a change.  Solange's dream is to become a professional singer, but she has no idea how to make a start in that career.  One day she runs into an old school friend, Marlène, who has become a household name as a TV weather forecaster.  Encouraged by Marlène's success, Solange finally makes up her mind to leave Patrick and start a new life as a singer.  She is sure that with Marlène's help, she will at last be able to escape from her pointless humdrum life...