.....Clarinet! Well, go on....at least consider it. Believe me....it ain't that "Hard" to do (***see below)
ALTERNATE TITLE FOR THIS REVIEW: You have NEVER met a Boy?...Girl?...Boy?....like this one! WHY, you may ask? Well, because He's?...She's?...He's?...(oh, I give up trying to decide)...just the GREATEST EVER! And to top that off, I've now found my new Boyfriend?...Girlfriend?...Boyfriend?...(#*$*&*...cuss...cuss).
A CAST OF CHARACTERS (by order of importance, naturally):
- The CLARINET - (plays Himself) ---- And not just any Clarinet....BUT one of the sweetest sounding...playful...sexually arousing woodwinds you are ever likely to meet (er, I mean hear).
- Simon Eskenazy (Our Guy) - (played by: Antoine de Caunes) ---- The adorable(yes, he really is) Male Lead....and Clarinetist Extraordinaire! This is a guy who says so much....by saying so little. A guy who seems to have experienced it ALL---sexual partner-wise. Believe me, you're going to wind up Envying this fellow....to the MAX.
- Naim (or is it Habiba?...or perhaps Angela?) - (also the reason for the Envy) - (played by: Mehdi Dehbi) ---- A PHENOMENAL actor...who is the subject of all the Question Marks in my Alternate Review Title, up above. Despite confusion over these 3 character names, there's really no doubt that this one is a "HE"....but just to be on the safe side, in future I'll only refer to him as "This Person". Anyway, you're going to fall in love with This Person. I know I did....and I said so above, did I not?
- Mama "Bella" - (played by: Judith Magre) ---- The witty and smart Mother of our Male Lead---a sharp-tongued, but loving, woman who is never afraid to call her son out as a "Schmuck!" (but only when he needs it)
- Rosalie - (played by: Elsa Zylberstein) ---- Our Guy's "Ex" (wife), as you've never, ever seen a gay man's Ex before. Possessed of a great singing voice, she is also phenomenal (with a little "p"). Watch her ultimate acceptance at film's end (check out her dancing partner). Although engaged, with a marriage ceremony only days away, do any of you out there also think she's, maybe, still in love with our Simon?
A COUPLE OF OBSERVATIONS:
- This is one of the most colorfully-peopled films you are likely to see---almost breathtakingly so (what great costuming....and cinematography).
- Amazing...and sad...that I found this film only available as a Region 2 version (requiring an All-Regions player). Peraps you'll be more lucky.
AND GENERAL THOUGHTS: Perhaps the Best Way to tell you a little more about this great film is just to list some of the wonderful, funny, sad (not many), emotion-grabbing events and moments which have made it so special for me (take a look at the film for yourself, and see where we may differ and agree on these):
- And a Clarinetist always plays his best....with a guy in his bed
- And NEVER get stuck in an elevator with your Mother
- And sometimes having facial hair can result in....your getting to sleep in longer (try it and see)
- And remember the specific amount: 4000 Euros (that's almost $5800 US)....BUT This Person is worth it
- And beware of rude, white-bearded men, all in Black (they can really put a damper on things)
- And you gotta love that the one who winds up snoring in a scene....turns out to be the one it is
- And when you turn around....you never know who'll be there---perhaps someone in Black (smirk)
- And...ye gods...Obama makes yet another appearance (see 1st "Aside", below)
- And, lastly, if you think you've walked into "Fiddler on the Roof" by mistake.....you haven't
TWO ASIDES:
- All you Obama fans (and others, of course) are invited and encouraged to try another great little film. This time it's a Mediterranean Number---Italy's marvelous Love Triangle, entitled "Different From Whom" (check my review.....and don't forget your All-Regions DVD player, you'll need it).
- A little Secret for some of you who've enjoyed this film: There was a 1998 "prequel" to this production (same Director and main Actors)---Titled, "Man Is A Woman"---Enjoy!
***No, no....you shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. What I meant, up top at the beginning, was: Listen to one "Playing"....WHILE you're making love. (Nasty minds, tsk...tsk)
****
