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| The magical screen |
Une année merdique. A sh-$%&#@ year. From the look of things, this is what 2013 is shaping up to be. Wherever you turn, sick, tired, depressed people. Bad news in the media. Bad news all around. January in Seattle. 'Nuff said.
Au secours. Help. Beam me up Scotty! Take me to a fun, happy place. I know: Take me to the movies.
Before I even set a foot in a movie theater, as I watched old American western movies or comedies on TV with my family on rainy Sunday afternoons, Le cinéma has always been by my side, my oldest and most faithful friend. My readers know I love movies. And as I like to remind people, I have seen A LOT of them.
A few weeks ago, several friends mentioned a good movie I had to go see, but struggled to describe it to me. "Well, it sort of is a romantic comedy; but not really; well... at least not until the end... It's funny. And sad. It's hard to explain. Great actors. Oh and... [added as an afterthought] Bradley Cooper is the lead actor!"
Well... Why didn't you say so?
J'aime bien Bradley. I like Bradley. He would have deserved a better name, but I like Bradley.
He is a decent actor and is not afraid to tackle challenging and diverse roles. Ok. Let's be honest. Bradley also has looks. The eyes. The smile.
The body.
Mostly, I like Bradley because he seems like a nice guy. He is kind to his fans. He is a devoted son.
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| Lucky fan... |
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| Bradley et Maman |
Bradley's best friend is his dog, Charlotte. He never goes anywhere without her.
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| Bradley and "his girl" Charlotte, the Chow mix, a rescue |
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| Traveling the world with Char' |
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| Always there for his girl... |
Oh, and let's not forget one of the most interesting things about Bradley: He speaks fluent French. Quite impressive in an industry where so many of his colleagues barely speak English when they go off script, don't you think?
When Bradley toured Europe a couple of years ago to promote the Hangover II, and was interviewed - en français - on French TV, journalists - and women around the world - swooned. Yep. That's right, kids. Six months spent in a foreign country as an exchange student (Aix-en-Provence in Bradley's case,) will expand your horizons and enrich your resume...
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| Bradley en France (if you need to be cheered up, scroll down to the end of the post for the video clip) |
Oui, les amis, sounding smart, articulate, funny, and interesting in a foreign language is no small feat. Respect.
But I digress. This post was also about that movie my friends wanted me to see. By now, everyone and heard of "the little movie that could..."
Silver Linings Playbook has attracted a lot of attention, and is the first movie in 31 years to be nominated in all categories for the upcoming Academy Awards. The high caliber cast has been recognized, of course: Best Actor nomination (Bradley Cooper,) Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence,) Best Supporting Actor (Robert de Niro,) Best Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver.) Impressive.
In France, the movie has been renamed Happiness Therapy. Don't ask.
Watch out. Spoilers headed your way.
Scroll down to the video clip at the end of the post if you have not seen the movie yet.
When I stepped into the theater to watch Silver Linings Playbook, on that rainy Seattle morning, I did not know what to expect. I had not read much about it. I knew it was about a bi-polar guy, who had problems with anger management; and a troubled girl, who was vaguely nymphomaniac. It was a romantic comedy... or maybe it wasn't. You've got to give me credit, les amis: I don't get scared easily.
La chance sourit aux audacieux. Fortune rewards the bold: What a gem of a movie that was!
My friends did not get it right. Silver Linings Playbook is a romantic comedy, right from the start. It is just so sharp, so unconventional, and served by such a talented cast, that audiences are challenged, and destabilized, ten minutes into the movie.
Imagine that. An edgy, off-beat comedy, where lead actors actually have chemistry. A movie that is never predictable; entertains; makes you laugh (or cry) in the same scene. A movie that avoids traditional Rom-Com clichés, and shows grit and emotion. Utterly believable, and yet so dysfunctional... a bi-polar movie.
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| Jennifer and Bradley: These kids have INSANE chemistry-- Let the rumor mill spin! |
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| The jogging scenes: my favorites (and who, other than Bradley, can look good wearing a GARBAGE BAG?!) |
The director, David O. Russel, cast his actors well. I loved all the actors' performances, large or small.
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| Bradley and Robert: Father and son. |
Is Silver Linings Playbook perfect then?
Non. I was disappointed when during the last ten minutes, things took a turn for... the predictable. It was as if, after challenging audiences for two hours and treating them like smart people, the screenplay writer and the director had decided all of a sudden to let them regroup and had thrown at them a satisfying, but all too easy Hollywood ending. Pass the popcorn. Make that a large one.
Dommage. Too bad.
Still, do not hesitate. Run and see Silver Linings Playbook. It does what movies are supposed to do: It challenges you; makes you think; entertains; and you will leave happy and (mostly) satisfied.
Chapeau! Hats off!
I am going to need a lot more like you, Silver Linings Playbook, if I am to survive the winter of 2013. Cinéma, mon ami, I am counting on you.
A bientôt.
Need to smile? Skip the "Happy Pills:" Bradley parle Français ici...
Have you ever watched him on Alias? Loved that show.
ReplyDeleteI did not watch Alias, but had I known Bradley was in it, I might have started recording it :-)
DeleteMy daughter just saw it and really liked it..I just know I would..
ReplyDeleteMy friend just saw Amour w/ JL Trintignant..Deeply moving.She loved it and recommended I see it.. she liked Quartet also with Maggie Smith..
So..I am not the one suggesting..But I love my friend and my daughter and their tastes:)
I really like Bradley Cooper too Véronique♥
Bonjour Nana. All of these movies are on my list, even though I doubt "Amour" would cheer me up much :-) Quartet it is, then. Bonne fin de semaine.
DeleteNice to see an american actor speaking french. He seems to have his head on his shoulder "en tout cas"!
ReplyDeleteOui. A nice young man, as my friend always says. :-)
DeleteWow, only six months?? Impressionnant, indeed! I had to skip half of your post for fear of spoilers, but a good-looking young actor who speaks un français impeccable and has a dog of similar breeding to mine named after the city I live in...well, he bears watching.
ReplyDeleteThat's all right Alison. Just come back here once you have seen the movie and let me know if you agree with the review, d'accord? PS: Bradley definitely "bears watching." :-)
DeleteHello Veronique
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lead. I will certainly go see it. Bradley Cooper is handsome and if he could speak French too, well "I'm weak in the knees" already
Thanks for a great post and wishing you sunshine and good news.
Helen xx
"Weak in the knees." I will have to remember that one. Thanks, Helen. :-)
DeleteWhen I first encountered Bradley Cooper in a film, I thought he seemed a little arrogant, not that outstanding. I just didn't understand why he was such a heart throb. Then I saw the clip of him speaking and joking in French and I totally lost it! How adorable. I get it. So few Americans speak another language, the lazy bums. Oh Bradley, il est charmant.
ReplyDeleteOui, Bradley est charmant... et sympa aussi. C'est très important. :-)
DeleteBonjour Veronique! Umm okay... you may not have the sunshine but I just got depressed. First Jody Foster and now Bradley Cooper. C'est pas possible! Qu'est-ce que tu penses? Ils se sont parlé? They don't even have a french mom...and here I am teaching people at work how to say, tais-toi. A basic french - I'm a little ashamed. I'll get over it. Maybe some day you'll come to the 96 Corners and practice with me. At least we have sunshine...I'm not sure if they have Bradley though.;) xx
ReplyDeleteHello Sandy from the 96 Corners (the number of corners keeps increasing with each comment, did you notice? :-)
DeleteI know that Jody Foster attended the Lycée Français in Los Angeles. After all these years, she still speaks fluently. She is one smart lady, Jody. As for Bradley, if he could get this comfortable after just 6 months in France, well... Handsome AND smart is what that tells me. A winning combination.
I would love to help you practice (while working on my tan in the 98 Corners (!) one day.... :-)
I haven't heard of the movie or the actor yet, but I am sure I will watch the movie. You described both so seductive I can't wait. Love to go to the movies too.
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think when you see it, ok?
DeleteYou can't help but love a handsome fellow with beautiful eyes who loves his Mom, his dog, and speaks French.
ReplyDeleteMy son was an exchange student in Aix-en-Provence too! And look what happened. He became French and remained. What's in the water in Aix?
Veronique, I agree with you....films and a glass of wine cure everything! Great post!
Suzanne: Exactement. As I said above, a winning combination :-)
DeleteThere is definitely something in the water in Aix. I am going to look up French language schools there so I can recommend them to my students when they ask...
Loved this movie and his French sounds perfect to me (he, he!)
ReplyDeleteOf course it does. I understood everything he said... :-)
DeleteOh yes, those blue, blue eyes.....and the bod's not too bad either! xx
ReplyDeleteSo you enjoyed this post, then? :-)
DeleteSilver Linings Playbook has been on our list of movies to see and we keep checking to see if we can download it on line. I don't really like to go to the theater as we are on the go so much already. Thanks Veronique for confirming that this is a movie we want to see. For a pleasant movie to see with some romance, have you seen Trouble with Curves starring Clint Eastwood? Not a best picture but definitely a pleasant movie to watch.
ReplyDeleteBonjour Michel. How funny: the Eastwood movie is still on MY list of movies to see... I guess the Bradley Cooper movie will be available online after the Academy Awards... A few more weeks to wait. A bientôt!
DeleteOh la la Veronique, J'adore Bradley Cooper! He is so handsome and sexy. I will definitely watch his movie. "silver Linings." Thank you for making my day! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, girl, you're welcome! :-)
DeleteHoly sweet Hollywood mother. I could watch that video of him speaking French FOREVER. My heart is melting right now.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, but after I saw Silver Linings Playbook a couple weeks ago, I read his IMDB trivia where it stated he was fluent in French and I actually thought of you! Hahahaha!!!
He's so delicious. And in FRENCH. Oh, I die. This is too much.
Ha. Jenny is baaaacccckkkkk. You are always welcome here, as you know. You thought of me. I thought of you. Both of us thought of Bradley. In short, great minds think alike :-) Glad you enjoyed.
DeleteWow! He is a hottie. And yes, i'm seriously swooning. Must run out and see this as soon as possible. And i sure need a distraction with all this rain and the gray skies of a Pacific Northwest winter. The darkness in the movie theater will be FUN!
ReplyDeleteUnlike the Pacific Northwest skies, a movie theater does not stay dark for long... Just wait a few seconds and SHAZAM! Watch the magic appear on the big screen! Take care, Mary.
DeleteDearest Véronique,
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasure to hear French and Bradley speaks very well French and is so natural with it. Indeed, living abroad at that age and studying will give you an EDGE. And that's for the rest of your life. Love the way you point that out too. Each time I also admire your writing skills, you keep a reader really captivated!
Hugs to you and oui, chapeau!
Mariette
And thank you very much for your nice comment, Mariette. I did the same thing as Bradley... in Atlanta, GA. I can tell you with absolute certainty that being able to speak English with a French accent AND a Southern drawl has given me a big EDGE! :-)
DeleteOMG!! He speaks French too!
ReplyDeleteI had the same thoughts about the movie Veronique. I bought the DVD...having heard it was a great film and assuming it was a romantic comedy. The first 10 minutes into the film and I knew something was amiss..it was not what I thought..it was even better.
Gutsy and real and filled with hidden mysteries. My heart broke for the mother, so wanting her son to be better..at any cost. It was clear the father was suffering from the same disease but had found his own coping mechanisms...in a way. The girl..a mixed up jumble of emotions and that scene when she called all the football scores to the father...magic.
Bradley was superb and is showing us he is more than the Hangover guy...I think we will see great things from him in the future. I still can't get over that he speaks French..how did he speak the language? Do you approve?
Thumbs up on the movie from me..I wrote to my 22 year old daughter and told her she MUST see the film... xx
Great comment, Jeanne. I love discussing movies after watching them, don't you? I had a close friend while I worked in Paris. Not only would we go out and watch movies together, we would also spend HOURS talking about them. Good times. I think you are right about Bradley. Check out the trailer of one of his upcoming movies. This one is going to ROCK!
Deletehttp://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/place-beyond-pines-trailer-ryan-406287
Hi French Girl, and unlike yourself and, it would appear, everyone else on this thread, I've never actually HEARD of this guy Bradley-Whatever-his-name-is. :)
ReplyDeleteBut who cares after all. This is a delightfully light-hearted piece of writing which also keeps me up to date on what's happening in other corners of the cultural world and waters than the many others I swim in. I know a lot about a lot of things, but films and actors? Jesus. I don't even have a TV!
Suffice it to say that the last three times I went to the cinema were to see the Scorcese Rolling Stones film, Usual Suspects, and Mulholland Drive.
Again, this was an agreeable and relaxing read, thanks. Phew! Makes a change from all that pompous and political stuff, that's for sure, and that's just how things should be.
Yours,
Cinematically-uneducated-Fripouille-but-will-go-to-the-cinema-at-least-once-this-year-promise.honest-injun'....
Bienvenue, Fripouille. Glad you took a break from all that "pompous and political stuff" to stop by chez moi.
DeleteSo you had never heard of Bradley, eh? Well, you know who Robert de Niro is, at least, I am sure of it. This could be your justification to go and see the movie. One new year resolution you could tick off your list, just like that. "See at least one movie this year." == Done, thanks to French Girl in Seattle.
Mind you, Jennifer Lawrence is quite cute too. She is the new "Rising Star," here in the US. Talented, I might add, for a 22 year old who never made it to high school. And surprisingly free spirited and refreshing.
At any rate, the three movies you last saw in a theater (that's what Americans call the big shiny places that reek of popcorn...) were quite good. Félicitations. My favorite would have to be Usual Suspects. A great flick. Kevin Spacey as "Kaiser Soze." The vanishing limp in the last scene. Brilliant.
I just had a horrible thought: I can't imagine what my life would have been like had I gone to the movies only once a year, and, (with no TV,) had I been unable to watch DVDs at home either. That would have been the end of French Girl as we know her, certainly :-)
Bonne soirée.
Rarely go to the movies, but this one is on my list. Saw Lincoln, and thought it was fabulous. All my friends are talking about Silver Linings, so I'll be heading to the theatre one afternoon soon. This by the way is an excellent post! Great review of that handsome fellow. '-)
ReplyDeleteBonsoir Sarah... and thank you. Glad you stopped by. C'mon lady. What are you waiting for??? Rush to the nearest movie theater and meet Pat Solatano and Tiffany (the main characters.)
DeleteThanks for the eye candy!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Kerry!
DeleteThanks for the movie heads up Veronique. I love him too. I didn't read the spoiler bit because I want to see it for myself. I wonder if I can find it in VO...
ReplyDeleteAlso, I heard something on the radio this morning as I was taking the kids to school that I think I understood correctly (it was in French, mais oui!). Your favorite French speaking, hunky American Mr. Cooper will be speaking French in a movie about a chef or cooking or something, he'll be filming here in France, and it will come out in 2014. Now there's something else to cheer you up and look very, very forward to.
Best and fat kisses,
Aidan
Ah, merci Aidan. Wonderful to see you back here. So Bradley cooks too... Wow. Isn't there ANYTHING he can't do? :-)
DeleteI was right! Voila, my French is improving!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.variety.com/article/VR1118065409/
Excellent investigative reporting, student Aidan. Merci.
DeleteBon, j'avais déjà envie de le voir, tu as fini de me convaincre. c'est vrai qu'il est craquouignant, le Bradley! J'adore ses yeux, son accent, .. et son talent d'acteur, bien sûr! :o)
ReplyDeleteRien de tel qu'un bon film pour nous remonter le moral, hein?!
Bises et à bientôt!
Rien de tel, Malyss, rien de tel... Fais-moi part de ton avis quand tu auras vu le film, d'accord?
DeleteI haven’t yet seen the movie, but Bradley has recently been seen here, repeatedly, in different TV interviews, shows, during his promotion tour. Yes, his French is excellent and you seldom see an actor, a person, who gives such a totally sympathetic impression! Well, with your recommendations added to this, with the Oscar nominations…, I just have to go!
ReplyDeleteVoilà. I just convinced the Great Peter Olson to go and see a movie. Bravo, Moi :-) I am glad we agree about B., Peter.
DeleteBradley Cooper speaking French - impressionnant and this fluent after a relatively short time as an exchange student. 'Not just a pretty face' then! You said I wouldn't be disappointed if I popped over here....and you were right. Worth it just for the video clip and of course your excellent review. A good start to my day. Merci, Véronique et bonne fin de semaine!
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
Not just a pretty face, it seems, miss b. Bonne fin de semaine à toi aussi.
DeleteI haven't had a celebrity crush in a long time, but if I did Bradley Cooper would be it. That French-speaking thing doesn't hurt either. I've been wanting to see Silver Linings Playbook. Hopefully I can catch it before the Oscars.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit and for leaving a comment. I think you will enjoy Silver Linings Playbook... I am a little too old for celebrity crushes, but I like Bradley. He has a couple of very good movies lined up... :-)
DeleteOh, ma chère, it sounds as if you are experiencing a little "coup de blues" and could benefit from a weekend in New York.
ReplyDeleteBradley is adorable, but I think he will be even more appealing in a few years with a bit of patina on that young face. In the meantime, I am absolutely "sidérée" by his fluency in French....very impressive. Chapeau to our young American friend. In addition to which, he was confident, charming and very articulate. I am impressed.
Gros bisous, M-T
My dear M-T, I do not need a "coup de blues" to want to come to New York. Ah, if only Seattle was closer to... well, you know, the rest of the civilized world... :-)
DeleteBy the way, Bradley is almost 40 you know. I am so glad you are as impressed with his French as I am. He does really well, and apparently has a French language movie in the pipeline this year. This should be fun to watch!
Almost 40!!! Wow!! I remember when I thought that was really old. He's young enough to be my son!!! Now that merits a BIG WOW!!!!
DeleteAnother B-day coming up for me next Wednesday (Feb. 6th). Not as bitter a pill as last year, but still "pas facile à avaler" either, "hélas." Boo hoo!!
Bizzzzzz, M-T
Joyeux anniversaire à l'avance, M-T, and no you do not look a day past... well, you know, the last "big" birthday :-)
DeleteWelcome Marlen. Congrats on the move (I think...)
ReplyDeleteThree questions I guess:
1. Where are you moving from?
2. What section of Seattle are you moving to?
3. Do you mind moss growing on everything in the winter, including your body?
:-)
Oh my goodness! I've always thought he was sexy since Alias but listening to him in French just increased his stock price in my book! :). So glad I read your review because I'm watching this movie tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteLet me know your impressions...
DeleteSexy guy! I wonder what is more important... That he speaks French fluently or that he loves dogs. You and I know that point #2 is a major point.
ReplyDeleteGreat guy! Oh well... Yes, we all know how a romantic movie ends... predictable BUT we all love it, don't we?
Remember, dear Véronique, that you are welcome in Florida whenever you get tired of the grey sky. Here it's blue all year round. Boring :-)))
Sending you much sun as usual. I will make sure that this time the US Po delivers!
Bisous
Anne Touraine (Playing with Scarves)
Merci Anne. I may take you up on the invitation in the near future... :-)
DeleteMy daughter told me that she really liked the acting in that film. I personally like the actor who plays the main character. I enjoyed watching Kitchen Confidential - haven't laughed so hard in a long time.
ReplyDeleteAnother recommendation... Thank you Olga!
DeleteHubba hubba! J'aime bien Bradley aussi! THanks for the review. I will try and see it for myself.
ReplyDeleteBTW, new French word of the day.........merdique! LOL
V
An excellent word to master, V. -- Can come in handy!
DeleteWow that was a post chock-full-o-good-stuff. This brightens up the Seattle-like weather we are having in France now. (So you're not missing anything in that respect.) My wife and I almost retired to Seattle (we had not been there in January), but ultimately decided if we're gonna be that far from friends and family on the East Coast we may as well move to France. Couldn't be happier with that choice.
ReplyDeleteOK that was a little off topic, but this is my first visit to your blog. And since you're a movie fan, I'll just say "I'll be back".
Bienvenue Stuart. What area of France did you retire in?
DeleteI've seen this video!!! So sexy listening to that man speak French, like OHMAHGAH so sexy.
ReplyDeleteMy new year is looking like a une année merdique aussi. Ugh. It can only get better!!
That is an excellent way of looking at it, Amber. Things can only get better...
DeleteWow! He is such a cutie-patootie to start with and he speaks French! I'll have to scroll back up and take another look at those eyes! Oh la la la la!
ReplyDeleteBises,
Genie
Hope you did... Didn't he look so cute with "maman" at the Academy Awards?!
DeleteThe film sounds fantastic up until the last 10 minutes. Now if it were FRENCH, the ending would have been quite different! I tend not to be a fan of American movies but your review has me intrigued enough to go and see it. Bisous
ReplyDeleteQuite right. If the ending had been French, Bradley and Jennifer would still be talking (or sulking...) and they still would not have exchanged their first kiss by now :-)
DeleteHi Veronique - still catching up with your blog! Bradley is awesome and as you rightly say, mostly because of what a decent guy he is! I had no idea he is fluent in French - he's got a really decent accent hasn't he? I'm very impressed. My favourite actor is Ryan Gosling, but Bradley is right up there!
ReplyDeleteAh, now you're talking Craig. Cute and talented Ryan makes the top of my list as well... Who knows? Maybe he speaks French too! :-)
Delete