Everybody Famous

In this very subtle satire 'losers' get a glance at stardom. And it's the way director Deruddere portrays them, that they stay authentic and win your sympathy, rather than empathy. Father (De Pauw), your average hard-working factory man, is so obsessed with the singing career of his not so talented daughter (named after Marva, a famous Belgian singing icon) that, after he's been put out of his job, he decides to kidnap a famous Belgian singer to get the attention of her manager. He wants fame, she wants it too, but doesn't know what she's in for. After the kidnapping has taken place a great satire unfolds that stays entertaining till the end, without getting absurd (well just a little). A very enjoyable little film that deserves a bigger audience than it got.

I saw this at the Seattle International Film Festival with subtitles. Anyone that has seen "The Full Monty" will recognize themes here.

1. Industry screws over the worker. 2. Worker hatches wacky scheme to redeem himself and save his family and hopefully make lots of money. 3. Worker recruits hapless former co-worker to help with the wacky scheme.

The new twist is that the father is obsessed with his daughter becoming a singing star. To this end, he kidnaps Belgium's top pop star and as ransom demands that his new song be performed on National TV, preferably with his daughter singing it.

It's a fluffy piece but thoroughly enjoyable. Just like "The Full Monty" you're cheering for everyone in the end.

... but of course it's much more than that. it's a story about family, love, and the media. and even if you think this sounds pretty horrible, it must be said that all these topics are treated in a very unique way. everything's over the top, certainly, but one still believes the characters, their problems, the way things get out of control. even though the freddie mercury impersonator really must be from another planet... the whole design of the film might be reminiscent of movies like muriel's wedding (you know the deal: ugly people + glitter= everyone is special), but it still has a soul of its own.

8/10

This film was reccomended to me by some Belgian people I talk to on the net, they said it was one of the best to come out of their country so I decided to check it out. All in all, I have to say that I really enjoyed it. It's not entirely original, but what it lacks in originality, it makes up for with it's ability to charm and entertain. I don't want to give away too much of it, but the story mainly revolves around fame and the desire to achieve it. Of course, it's always much harder for some, more so than others; mainly those who aren't blessed with the looks, or all of the talent. "Everybody's Famous" is one of those rare, truly "feel good" films that don't come around too often. Hollywood often tries to make films like this, but often fall flat by making it too cutesy. One thing I don't understand about this movie is how it ever got rated "R"... were the ratings board members drunk or asleep the day they rated this movie? There's no bad language in it, and only a brief amount of (non-explicit) nudity. So, if you're wondering if it's appropriate for the younger crowd, I would definately reccomend it for them; it should've been rated PG-13. The bottom line is, if you appreciate charming, feel-good flicks about the various struggles in life, then you'll love this. It was also nice to see that this film was nominated for an Academy Award in 2001 (Best Foreign Language Film).

The beginning promised great things .The dream of the father ,a working-class man ,to make his daughter a star ,what a good subject for a movie!There are plenty of good scenes:the song contest where the "singers " ape Madonna or Jackson and where the Otis Redding "double", with his "black" face ,takes the biscuit;the less-than-attractive fat daughter dreaming in her room;the kidnapping which increases Debbie's sales who has sold more now than Presley ,Jackson and the Beatles put together(sic).

Unfortunately,as soon as the star falls his love with her abductor,it's the beginning of the end:the script gets bogged down in clichés.The attack of the medias has been seen a thousand times or more .Finally ,what could have been a ferocious satire of the showbiz world becomes its glorification.Nothing is spared the viewer,even the ugly-duckling-turned-into-a-swan umpteenth version.Oh unlucky Manuelo!