A Prima Sofia

Know how to make good movies. This wasn't a blockbuster but was very entertaining and the acting was great. For some reason even though I understand little, if any, French, I understood perfectly what was happening throughout the movie. Maybe some American directors and actors should take some time off from their superhero films and go to France and learn how to make real movies.

Although it's set in the present day, there's a feeling that the events of this film are dredged from distant memories. It begins with the start of Naïma's last school holidays growing up in the strange double world of Cannes. Naïma herself (played by Mina Farid) comes from a normal world where her mother works as a chambermaid in one of the posh hotels frequented by the people from the other world of ridiculous idleness and unfeasibly opulent motor yachts moored on the front.

Out of the blue, Naïma's older cousin, Sofia appears and it's quickly apparent that she is the "fille facile" of the title, her over-tanned body easily flaunted for any passing lothario. Zahia Dehar has apparently some autobiographical experience to draw on in depicting Sofia and she makes the best of a fairly meagre characterisation.

Sofia quickly settles her attentions on Andres (Nuno Lopes) who owns one of the yachts while Naïma tags along and turns, in time, to Andres' sidekick, Philippe. Benoît Magimel plays Philippe, one of the more complex characters, well, but always feels too old to be of much interest to a sixteen-year-old.

Sofia and Andres' relationship is based on the exchange of meaningless sex for expensive presents. There's a retro style to some of the cinematography especially as it lingers sometimes a second of two too long on Sofia's curves and on the couple's antics. It all emphasises the dreamlike feel of the whole movie. Naïma observes the couple with a mixture of distaste and fascination - enough fascination, at least, for her to neglect her Compulsory Gay Friend, Dodo.

About half way through the film, I was reminded of a couple of days from my distant past when my sister and I, naively backpacking around the US, happened upon the lives of a couple superficially similar to Sofia and Andres. But in our short time as his guests, this real guy showed a conflict over his life choices and offered me an alcohol-fuelled, but apparently sincere, apology for the shallowness of his lifestyle.

Sadly, introspection like this was rather lacking from several characters in the movie and that's its major weakness. But for Naïma herself, the story is believable, and for that, it's worth watching. 7/10.

I really, really love the simple style of the movie. It's billed as a 'Coming of Age' movie by a lot of reviews and ratings. I'm not sure I am of the belief that at 16, is there really a time period in a person's life that coming of age is all figured out by one short summer. Dealing with the unknown world that exists around you as you live. Can an out of school lark around an beautiful, yet bustling resort town that you live all your life really give you the opportunity to 'figure out youself' and know what you are and what you want to be. This is an interesting story about 2 cousins, 1, Sofia is 22 yet is living her life carefree and gives the perona of a much older soul. Dealing with her mourning for her recently lost mother, living off the 'generosity' of older, wealthy men in exchange for a piece of herself. Is she as free and happy as she gives the impression most the time. Or is she the sad, lonely, confused young lady that she reveals in a few short scenes with Maia.

Very good acting by the 2 main ladies. Supporting cast in the men and her mother is well done. As you would expect in a film shot in a fabulous, gorgeous setting like Canne, the cinematography is absolutely amazing. I also took note afterward that I really enjoyed the Directors use of subtle background music and soft luster of water sounds, low voices and at most time, calmness. This IMO is definitely worth a watch. I was pleasantly surprised about the reality also about no abundant over zealous nudity or sex to get the writers points across.

Strong points:

• Having grown up in the area where this was recorded, I thought it successfully captured the pace of life and the type of people one would find in Cannes

• Pleasant watch, dialogue between the characters flows well and naturally for the most part

• Zahia's acting somehow works. It is quite monotone, although I imagine her casting might have more to do with her reputation than her acting ability. The calmness and seeming detachment of the character creates an air of mystery, an aura of sophistication.

Weaker points:

• The silent, complicit naiveté of Mina Farid works up to a certain degree. There is a point where she begins to express more of a personality (through her exchanges with Philippe) but it does not seem to build up to anything in particular, which I thought was a shame.

• The film is pleasant but uneventful. I wouldn't watch it again but I also wouldn't dissuade anyone from watching it.

This movie has the visual style of Call Me By Your Name and just as much action. It's a film set in the summer in Cannes and the main characters are two girl cousins who spend their time together. One, a 16 year naive that doesn't yet know what she wants and a 22 year one that has already found a calling in being an escort for rich men. That's it. The acting is good, the situations believable and we learn how actual people react in actual situations. Yet the film makes no effort in exploring the set up in depth. There are no artificial dramas either. Just a girl figuring herself out. And other than a few breast scenes, it's not particularly erotic either.