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Diane Kurys' Sagan is the latest
in a series of biopic films that depict the lives of French cultural
icons of the Twentieth Century. The trend that began with La Vie En
Rose, continues with Sagan, and with the soon to be released
Gainsbourg. The question is, who will it be next; Jean-Paul
Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Jean Gabin or, perhaps, Jacques Tati?
Novelist, playwright, and screenwriter
Francoise Sagan, born Francoise Quoirez, was a literary genius whose
dispassionate portrayals of bored, amoral middle-class people have been
translated into many languages. In 1954, at the age of 19, she was
catapulted to international fame with the release her critically
acclaimed first novel, Bonjour Tristesse (Hello Sadness). Sagan would
later write the screenplay for a 1958 film by the same title, directed
by Otto Preminger, and starring Deborah Kerr, David Niven, and the ill
fated Jean Seberg. Sagan would soon be travelling to the United States,
where she was befriended by such luminaries as novelist Truman Capote
and actress Ava Gardner.
Almost all geniuses have a
self-destructive streak, and Sagan of course, was no exception. Soon
after her new found celebrity status, she would embark on a long, slow
and often painful journey of self-destruction. Her legendary gambling,
wild parties, alcohol and drug abuse, would scandalise France, and set
tongues wagging for decades. She would crash sports cars as soon as she
bought them, and would leave a trail of shattered lives and lovers in
her wake. Not surprisingly, she was beset by poor health for the last
twenty years of her life. To make matters worse, the French Tax
department was pursuing Sagan for millions of unpaid tax money.
The year is 1954, and Sagan (Sylvie
Testud) has just finished writing Bonjour Tristesse. It's an
overnight sensation, both in France and around the world, and
particularly in the United States. There were of course, book-signing
functions that followed, lots of them. At one such event, she mistakes
Sartre protege, and journalist turned novelist Bernard Frank (Lionel
Abelanski) for a parking valet. At another such event, this time in New
York City, she meets her future husband, Guy Schoeller (Denis Podalydes).
On her return to France, she famously crashes her new Aston Martin,
almost getting herself killed in the process. She survives the accident,
and as promised, Schoeller marries her. The marriage is not a happy one,
and would soon end in divorce. This would then be followed by numerous
affairs with both men and women, and her subsequent descent into
self-destruction.
Sagan is brilliantly portrayed by Sylvie
Testud. She provides is sensitive, at times moving, and totally
unpretentious performance. The fact that she bears remarkable physical
resemblance to Sagan is an added bonus. Testud has had a very busy
couple of years after appearing as Momone in La Vie En Rose (2007),
appearing in 12 productions during that time.
Sagan has a first-class support cast that reads like a who's who list of
some the most talented actors in France. These include Pierre Palmade
as Jacques Chazot, one of France's most famous theatrical comedians and
Sagan's life-long friend, Lionel Abelanski as novelist Bernard Frank,
another of Sagan's lifelong friends, and Jeanne Balibar is remarkable as
fashion designer Peggy Roach, and Sagan's one true love. Margot Abascal
appears briefly as Florence Malraux, daughter of Charles de Gaulle's
legendary minister for culture Andre Malraux. Veteran Arielle Dombasle
provides a standout performance as the mysterious and scheming Astrid.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable film that truly captures the essence of
Sagan and her times. Director Diane Kurys has done a remarkable job -
bravo. |
