Bulles de Vian

I am a great admirer of Boris Vian and it was with expectation that I proceeded to view the film that the European culture chain ARTE had broadcast on the 50th anniversary of the death of the French poet and musician. Unfortunately the film did not fit the expectations. The idea it is based about seems pretty cued - at the midnight when the 50th anniversary starts the world (well ... France at least) is for 24 hours Vian-struck. Everybody thinks, recites, sings Boris Vian. News talk only about Vian or on Vian words. Everybody, including the principal hero who is some kind of TV anchor prepares Vian shoes. It is indeed a good idea for a TV variety show, or for a short film. Making it the duration of a full feature film lands into preciosity and even the presence of international stars like Joan Baez or Ute Lempel cannot save the film (I know less the French artists who participated). The most interesting and authentic sequences are the ones filmed in the street, amazingly folks on the street seem more natural embracing Vian than the artists.