ABOVE: Paris 36

Paris 36 review

Paris 36

Director: Christophe Barratier

Starring: Gérard Jugnot, Clovis Cornillac, Nora Arnezeder

Certificate: TBC

Running: 120 minutes

Release date: January 26th

Paris 36 contains more drama in the first ten minutes than most movies have during their entire running time. A breathless pre-credit sequence features a murder enquiry, a worker’s strike, a sex scandal and a suicide. It’s a riveting opening that sets the tone for Christophe Barratier’s entertaining film about a special music hall.

The year is 1936 and in the wake of elections won by the left-wing alliance, Popular Front, Paris is experiencing huge unrest as workers and management clash. In a north-east suburb, Germain Pigoil (Jugnot) is struggling to cope after the Chansonia theatre where he works as stage manager is closed down. His wife leaves him for another man and, because of his unemployment, his son Jojo (Maxence Perrin) is taken away.

In an effort to get his life back on track Pigoil – assisted by entertainer Jacky Jacquet (Kad Merod) and fiery political activist Milou Leibovich (Cornillac) – convinces sinister mogul Galapiat (Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu) to reopen the theatre. The trio’s stuttering efforts to make the place a success is given a huge boost by songbird Douce (Nora Arnezeder), whose good looks and golden voice have men lining up.

When both Milou and Galapiat fall in love with Douce, a heated and tragic confrontation is inevitable. With a plot that bears more than a passing resemblance to Moulin Rouge, Paris 36 is not exactly the most original piece of work you’ll see this year. A bloated storyline also means that some great characters (a local agoraphobic played by Pierre Richard for instance) don’t really get the screen time they deserve.

Paris 36 remains thoroughly watchable, though, thanks to some strong performances (Jugnot and newcomer Arnezeder are particularly impressive), wonderful musical numbers and some striking visuals that really bring to life a fascinating period in Paris’ history.

Our rating: 6/10