L'Écume des jours

Original title: L'écume des jours

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

17K

YOUR RATING

Audrey Tautou in L'Écume des jours (2013)

Set in a charmingly surreal Paris, wealthy bachelor Colin spends his time developing his pianocktail (a cocktail-making piano) and devouring otherworldly dishes prepared by his trusty chef Nicolas. When Colin learns that his best friend Chick, a fellow acolyte of the philosopher Jean-Sol Partre, has a new American girlfriend, our lonely hero attends a friend's party in hopes of falling in love himself. He soon meets Chloe and, before they know it, they're dancing to Duke Ellington and plunging headfirst into a romance. Their whirlwind courtship is tested when an unusual illness plagues Chloe; a flower begins to grow in her lungs. To save her, Colin discovers the only cure is to surround Chloe with a never-ending supply of fresh flowers.

Play trailer1:56

6 Videos

99+ Photos

Tragic Romance Comedy Drama Fantasy Romance

Wealthy, inventive bachelor Colin endeavors to find a cure for his lover Chloe after she's diagnosed with an unusual illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs.Wealthy, inventive bachelor Colin endeavors to find a cure for his lover Chloe after she's diagnosed with an unusual illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs.Wealthy, inventive bachelor Colin endeavors to find a cure for his lover Chloe after she's diagnosed with an unusual illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

17K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 10 nominations total

Alise
(as Aïssa Maiga)

Charlotte Le Bon

Isis

Sacha Bourdo

La souris

Vincent Rottiers

Le religieux

Philippe Torreton

Jean-Sol Partre

Laurent Lafitte

Le directeur de société
(as Laurent Lafitte de la comédie française)

Alain Chabat

Gouffé

Zinedine Soualem

Le directeur de l'usine d'armement

Natacha Régnier

La marchande de remèdes

Marina Rozenman

La duchesse de Bovouard

Mathieu Paulus

Le Chuiche
(as Matthieu Paulus)

Frédéric Saurel

Le Bedon
(as Fred Saurel)

Wilfred Benaïche

Le sénéchal

Alex Raul Barrios

Jésus
(as Alex Barrios)

Director
- Michel Gondry
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

‘Snow White’ Stars Test Their Wits

Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, and director Marc Webb take our Ultimate Disney Quiz.

Watch now

9:57

Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
The original French title for this movie, L'écume des jours, translates literally to "the foam of the days" but more colloquially means "the froth" or "the remnants" of daydreams. The English-language title, Mood Indigo, is the title of a 1930 jazz composition by Duke Ellington, the musician who is often mentioned in this movie.

Goofs
When Nicolas brings breakfast to Chloé and Colin the first time, the long shot from the back of the bedroom shows him entering the bedroom but there are no people up on the bed. The close shot from the end of the bed shows Chloé and Colin receiving the tray.

Quotes
Chloé: [Last lines]
Chloé: If we screw this moment, we try the next. And if we fail the next... we have our whole lives to get it right.

Crazy credits
The end credits start on a background of footage of Duke Ellington playing the piano.

Alternate versions
A shorter version than the 135 minutes original cut has been released in some countries, included France. This alternate version is 36 minutes shorter, and has been edited by Tariq Anwar and supervised by Michel Gondry.

Connections
Referenced in Radio Dolin: Cancellation of Best Actress, Favorite Instagram accounts of Anton and the return "Amélie" (2021)

Soundtracks
Take the 'A' Train
Written by Billy Strayhorn
Performed by Duke Ellington Orchestra (as Duke Ellington and his famous orchestra)

User reviews46

Featured review

10/10

Very Vian like

When I decided to go see that movie, I was really scared. Scared that, somehow, this movie might be bad, whereas the book of Boris Vian is one of my favorite. But when I got out, I was really amazed. I felt almost depressed, exactly the same way when I finished reading the book. For the whole night long, I couldn't keep my mind of the movie, and I was barely able to sleep.

Gondry actually made me open my eyes about some things, that I couldn't imagine or figure out. But when I think about it, it just make sense. Like the fact that Alise is black woman. I don't know why, I've always imagined her as a white and blonde woman. But it's only natural that she is in fact black.

I can understand the fact that some people would not like the movie, being very weird, and being in it's own universe. But I really think this movie deserves a way better grade. Maybe one of the greatest adaptations that I have seen, yet. I gladly recommend to see this movie.