blmayers

Surfing through the more obscure TV channels I came across The Emperor's Club. To my surprise I found this film enervating and compelling from beginning to end. Sure, there were some ordinary moments, but I felt the emotions of the cast coming straight at me throughout. Kevin Kline was terrific as were all the others, who, by their variety and quantity were a starring but supporting cast. The dialogue at every turn added to the depth of character of the film in its entirety and the interspersing of the quotations added the icing to the cake. The story and its telling was riveting entertainment as well as being completely thought provoking. BLM

Not an easy picture to find, especially in a theater that offers quality sound. That having been said, this film bio is at or near the top of the list of this genre. For those not familiar with Piaf, she was a chanteuse most popular in the late 1930's thru the 1950's. She was French personified in her temperament, behavior and personality. Not the French as we know them today, but of a period of economic depression and war. Her life was one of continuous sadness and that is reflected in her choice of songs and her inflective interpretations. There are many remarkable scenes, flashbacks interspersed with the current periods. Notable was her 'fling' with Marcel Cerdan, a French boxer who won the middle weight title of the world from Tony Zale. Her life was permeated with sadness, therefore, the film is much the same.

The performance of Marion Cotillard is beyond description, so wonderful was she in adapting to the role. That was the highlight of the film, but the content and other supporting roles were equally well researched and were joyous, although intrinsically sad, to perceive.

A must for bio fans, especially of that era, and of European flavor.

Interesting to see in 2006, a picture about the morals and business ethics that probably existed 70 years ago. Considering the passage of time, I was surprised to find so many of the conflicts of today, were, prevalent so many years ago. Religious differences, business ethics, management vs labor, and the like all come together in this rather simplistic film without the benefit (sic) of the next 70 years of social change. And the differences and problems somehow get solved.

Boy meets girl. Father disapproves not specifically stated for religious differences. Father not happy with son's trying to modernize business through advertising and the fact that a strike is called in spite of having a previous agreement. Father takes a walk, and the story continues with him on the outside. He finally returns to make the situation whole again and the marriage takes place under the supervision of a Priest and and Rabbi, the strike is called off and all's well that ends well.

I liked it. It was fun. It was (in terms of today) a comment on the changing times...and I am 75 years old.