La boum 2

After over 20 years, I can say that I do miss this type of coming of age film (Breaking Away, My Bodyguard, 400 Blows) done before the modern age of jaded irony & cynicism. It's for those old enough to miss the young subjects of Truffaut, only without the melancholy. Even the cheesy but sprightly tunes invite nostalgia. Like Bardot before Marceau, her precocious innocence here holds up against French frankness. Sophie has yet to recapture the same appeal even after limited exposure to her more grown-up international efforts (Braveheart, 007), even Lambert Wilson's mature exposure (Matrix Reloaded, Catwoman) come off now as well, ironic & cynical.