MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR

THREE AND A HALF STARS The life and times of French crooner Charles Aznavour is given the biopic treatment.

PERIOD DRAMA FRANCE French #MONSIEURAZNAVOUR Starring Mehdi Idir, Marie-Julie Baup

The latest off the biopic production line is the story of French crooner, Charles Aznavour. A protege of Edith Piaf and pin-up boy of the 1960’s, he became one of the country’s most respected and adored singers. 

MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR is clearly a passion-project for the writing-directing partnership of Idir Rahm and Grand Corps Malade, one that charts a heartfelt journey from childhood (the singer was the son of Armenian refugees) to the pinnacle of success and well beyond (Aznavour continued working well into his 90’s).

There’s plenty to work with. His attempts to carve out a singing career during the German occupation failed, his short stature and raspy voice lead him to write music rather than perform (notably for Edith Piaf in a scene-stealing performance by Marie-Julie Baup), his relationships with women are complicated.

Yet in time he does find his own voice, writing and performing his distinctive ‘chansons’ that, with a shove from Piaf, launches a career that would land him alongside the likes of Sinatra at his Vegas best.

What elevates the film, aside from the adoration of Idir and Malade, is the commanding performance of Algerian actor Tahar Rahim. It's more than charm and alarmingly good vocals. Right down to the singer’s idiosyncratic posture, he inhabits Aznavour and the result is at once both operatic and intimate. Terrific stuff. 

MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR was a considerable hit in France yet it’s reasonable to think its appeal lessens the further the film travels from the heartland. After all, Aznavour biggest global hit, the phenomenal She, was over fifty years ago. Yet some things simply don’t go stale and just as Marion Cotillard did for Piaf, Rahim does for Aznavour. His life story is brought to the screen with passion and energy to reveal how he became France’s best-loved and most enduring entertainers. He was the man who personified French culture and in many ways, still does.

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