L'accompagnatrice

Paris –1943. Paris is going through one of the hardest winters of its history -occupied and tortured by the Germans, freezing and starving, the City of Light hardly deserves its name. But Sophie Vasseur only just witnesses that misery. She has been recruited as the accompanist of Irene Brice, an opera singer, one of the few 'lights' still shining in Paris. Her husband Charles, a brilliant and rich businessman who loves her passionately, efficiently supports her agents and sponsors in protecting her from the unbearable reality, and Sophie, the shadow, cuddles in the shelter. Through all the ordeals that cost the life of so many, Charles carries Irene and Sophie, not even surprised to find themselves safe in London. But untouched by the universal suffering, Irene will create her own. Sophie could do something, but, unable to get out of her role of passive shadow and to understand she has power on her own, will she? A fascinating picture of destiny and how it affects human beings, whether they try to control it or not. Beautiful classical music too.

(1992) The Accompanist/ L' Accompagnatrice (In French with English subtitles) DRAMA

Takes place during WWII centering on Romane Bohringer as Sophie Vasseur, who's just been hired as "The Accompanist" for a popular opera singer, Irène Brice (Elena Safonova). As she narrates her events subtly with Irene as well as her manager husband, Charles Brice (Richard Bohringer). The reason why I said the genre is 'drama' is because although it takes place during the World War II time period, it's only used as a backdrop to the characters actual choices in life in general. The only downside is that the film fails to convince viewers that the narrator Sophie is like, always hungry in search for food, but it only plays a very small part of the actual set up to what was really happening between Irene and her husband.

Among the wonderful musical performances in this film, I think the best reason to watch is for the portrayal of Sophie. We see her awakening. The actress is perfect in her performance. Sophie is portrayed as a sad sort of person, deeply touched by anything. The ending is a bit unexpected. I found myself yearning for more for Sophie. She is so naive and inexperienced, even after working with Irene.

The costume and lighting in this film are very well done. Distinct scenes stand out in my mind, even though I saw it a few years ago. I recommend this film to anyone interested in French film or World War II-era portrayals. What a powerful film.

The Accompanist sure is an interesting movie. All about a girl who takes on a role as a piano player for a famous diva. In return, she escapes from the somewhat lower class life she leads, playing for a woman who is married to a guy who has suspicious leanings towards the Nazi party, but they're forced to flee anyways.

So yes, what we have here is a hybrid of The Pianist and The Princess Diaries. The plot goes further then that, exploring the many courtship the Piano player and yes, the Diva has. They also have to deal with political pressures brought on by the war, and her husband who can't really do much except go into one shady business deal after another.

The performances here are great, with the standout being Elena Safonova as the diva herself. All eyes are on her in every scene she's in, and what A voice! Not too sure if it's her own voice though…The rest of the cast is great as well.

Finally, did anyone else notice how this compares to the life of Celine Dion and her husband, Rene Angelil? Just wondering.

Yelena Safonova is the blonde diva that gets the spotlights and the applause. Romane Bohringer is the self-deprecating accompanying pianist who stays in the dark and is painfully aware of here subsidiary role. One has a husband, a lover, and beautiful clothes, while the other looks very much like the starving student she was at the beginning of the story. One dialog tells all: when the diva makes a disparaging remark about a young man who seems interested in the pianist, she answers "Oh I'm sure he's nothing compared to *your* love affairs.

The rhythm and settings are beautiful without ever taking first place to the story.