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Céline themed movies: "Aline/The Voice Of Love" and "Celine before Celine"

Ronny83

By Ronny83
in Celine Dion Discussions

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Chantemoi Newbie

Chantemoi

Posted
Posted

Must be the language barrier . The audience laughed more than I have ever seen them laugh before in Paris. Real, belly laughs.

 

Sadly I’ll never know what the audience laughed at, because I was the only person in the room when I saw it opening night 😬

  • Like 5
PuraVida Enthusiast

PuraVida

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Last night I was watching "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" and it made "Aline" look suddenly very pale by comparison. Now THAT is how you make a biopic! It's an absolute must-see film. The young actress, Jessica Chastain, embodied Tammy Faye with such energy—she gave it her all—and it made me realize how tame Valerie's performance was. Of course, the makers of "Tammy Faye" embraced the camp ten times what Valerie did, but without making fun of Tammy Faye or being disrespectful.

 

Also, the flow of this movie's plot was much smoother. And perhaps that's because it was funnier throughout, I don't know, but overall I think it was a better film and it left me wishing "Aline" was bolder in that way. Perhaps they played it too safe. Many critics have said there's no clear message about what the film is about, and after seeing this other movie, I have to agree.

 

Here's the trailer:

https://youtu.be/eMMLRnXPPJk

 

To me, Aline was almost more like a play than a movie in its feel, approach, and its aesthetic at times. But I still enjoyed it!

 

The issues between a movie like that and Aline are 1) budget 2) Celine is still alive 3) Celine is not incredibly controvesial and with Celine, what you see is what you get 4) We don't know a ton about Celine's personal life, she is very private...makes depth kind of hard sometimes. 5) Celine fans, and the French-speaking world are very protective of Celine....no matter who you are, there will be critics of a portrayal of her. 6) Valerie is no Jessica Chastain :giggle:

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PuraVida Enthusiast

PuraVida

Posted
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Claudettes was the name given to the dancers dancing with Claude François on stage. They were sexy and energetic. :)

 

I was thinking more along the lines of a certain Claudette Dion :laugh:

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scielle Apprentice

scielle

Posted
Posted (edited)

So I finally got around seeing it last night. I expected the screening to be empty, but actually there were probably 20-30 people there. Perhaps because it was seemingly one of the last screenings in NYC.

 

I think I need some time to properly absorb what I saw, but first impressions below.

 

 

 

Overall, I think the good intentions were there, but the execution didn't quite live up to the ambition. I don't really get the fawning French reviews, but equally don't get the English ones that can't see past the CGI and clearly don't "get" Valerie or, frankly, Celine, beyond the caricature.

 

There were certainly some laugh-out-loud moments, some Celine-worthy kookiness, some awkward cringe (also on-brand, I suppose!) though in general I think it was far more touching that many in that theatre expected. But is it really that much better than the Lifetime movie from years ago? I'm yet to decide. Some of the script and directorial choices made me squirm. That said, casting was great. Sylvain made an excellent Rene and Danielle a great Maman Dion. I haven't seen the other Cesar contenders, and while I think she captured a lot fo Celine mannerisms, was that performance really worth of the award?

 

My favorite scene I think was the ending - where she leaves Fred's apartment to the tune of Rufus Wainwright. What a pleasant surprise, and it works so well to show that extreme fame is extremely lonely, which I think really is the theme here. That, and family.

Also, the recreation of the Julie Snyder interview where she talks about Rene's heart attack was a highlight. Plus in general, so many faithful recreations of actual moments in her life - right down to that hug with her dad, or Guy Claude's "ghost" saying "tout va etre correct". Valerie clearly did her research. Perhaps though, that makes it feel a bit too much like a collection of recreated clips, with little insight into who Celine really is beyond what we already know.

 

I felt the film spent far too much time on some things but not nearly enough on others. The most jarring is probably that Guy Claude just... dies. Out of nowhere. I think it does to a huge disservice to Celine's story to ignore the fact that she nursed him through 2 bouts of cancer. (Though I suspect Valerie didn't include that because she "didn't want to take Celine through that again", which is what she has said about the funeral scene.) Or the twins. They just... happen. As if she didn't go through multiple miscarriages and IVF to get there (on the other hand I think the first IVF is overplayed). I suppose you have to do what you can within 2 hours, but I don't know, for instance, why the "Vatican" scene was there. Ultimately though, this is Valerie's creative vision, and she told the story how she saw fit. I would have made different directorial choices, but I suspect we all would have.

 

All in all, I found it difficult to watch in parts - perhaps because I know too much about the subject than any reasonable person should (!), because of some of the cringe moments (why the god-awful English version of Ziggy?), and because it just makes me sad that Rene is no longer there for her. And I don't know if this film is really going to do much in terms of her being seen seriously as an artist. That said, I appreciate the fact that it exists, that Valerie took creative risks and actually made it happen.

But if it's this difficult for me to watch, I can only imagine how hard it must be for Celine.

 

Mostly though, it must made me miss Celine a lot and hope she comes back with a bang soon.

 

 

Edited by scielle
  • Like 4
scielle Apprentice

scielle

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Reviews still coming out even though the theatrical run seems to be winding down.

Wonder what streamer will end up picking this up.

 

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I forget if I posted Vanity Fair already, but in case not -

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Movie Cricket: https://moviecricket.net/blog/2022/4/14/review-aline-is-a-weird-and-oddly-touching-fictional-biography-freely-inspired-by-the-life-of-celine-dion

The Spool: https://thespool.net/reviews/movies/film-review-aline-valerie-lemercier/

Aisle Seat: https://aisleseat.com/aline.html

Edited by scielle
PuraVida Enthusiast

PuraVida

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I don't really get the fawning French reviews, but equally don't get the English ones that can't see past the CGI and clearly don't "get" Valerie or, frankly, Celine, beyond the caricature.

 

Exactly. I know I repeat it all the time, but the CGI criticism makes me so angry because it is just a lazy excuse of not trying to do the work of analysis on the movie or Celine at a deeper level. Also, I don't think any biopic could be done much better than this about Celine....so for that reason, I grade it on a curve. I don't think the film's intent, or any impact of it in any universe, would make Celine be taken more seriously in some circles that...let's face it...will look at her the same for her entire life.

  • Like 1
carey Newbie

carey

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I keep waiting & hoping it will come 2 theater near where I live wtch is about a 45 minute drive from me, but so far nothing. I check everyday to see if it's playing. I'd totally love 2 see I in the theater. Could someone help, do you think 8t will come out on dvd hear in the United States? And when ? Thank you!!
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scielle Apprentice

scielle

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Exactly. I know I repeat it all the time, but the CGI criticism makes me so angry because it is just a lazy excuse of not trying to do the work of analysis on the movie or Celine at a deeper level.

 

I just don't understand why people find it so unsettling. How is it any weirder than having a child who's a completely different person play the young version of a character? Maybe it's because how people are use to seeing films that span decades, since we didn't have the technology until recently to cast a single actor. So maybe in a few years' time the concept will not feel so foreign (though of course by then CGI tech will have moved on).

 

Anyway, I've been stashing reviews here so I had a single place to go to when I had the time to actually read them. I just did, and have to say it's interesting how some critics love aspects of the film that others absolutely hate. It's all quite polarized and all over the place. Some love it, some hate it, but vast majority, I think, simply don't know what to do with it. And that, honestly, is still how I feel about it.

 

Anyway, here are some more.

I continue to be surprised by the volume of press coverage. The distributors certainly did their job on that front.

 

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Next Best Picture: https://www.nextbest....com/aline.html

Edited by scielle
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PuraVida Enthusiast

PuraVida

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I just don't understand why people find it so unsettling. How is it any weirder than having a child who's a completely different person play the young version of a character? Maybe it's because how people are use to seeing films that span decades, since we didn't have the technology until recently to cast a single actor. So maybe in a few years' time the concept will not feel so foreign (though of course by then CGI tech will have moved on).

 

Anyway, I've been stashing reviews here so I had a single place to go to when I had the time to actually read them. I just did, and have to say it's interesting how some critics love aspects of the film that others absolutely hate. It's all quite polarized and all over the place. Some love it, some hate it, but vast majority, I think, simply don't know what to do with it. And that, honestly, is still how I feel about it.

 

I recommend you wait a few days and watch it again. That's what I did, and it helped solidify my opinion and appreciate new things.

 

The CGI thing...I am convinced that if someone went into the movie without knowing anything, would not even remark upon it. Benjamin Button happened 15 years ago...and CGI is used every other movie. They just don't want to do their jobs and be original in their analysis...it's all Buzzfeed-ified quips

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Maicool4 Newbie

Maicool4

Posted
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I remember the movie of Andra Day in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” from Hulu, it was a disaster in critics but she was nominated to an Academy Award and Won a Golden Globe for Best Actress. The soundtrack won a Grammy as well.

 

Rotten - 56%

Metacritics 52%

 

Aline is doing a good job with the critics in spite of everything…

http://25.media.tumblr.com/22b69ef7c7f608e391c2b0c3273c6fd9/tumblr_mszgokm8hq1r1kly2o1_400.gif

scielle Apprentice

scielle

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Meanwhile, Jimmy's film seems stuck in development hell. No news on it since 2019?

Probably a good thing. We don't need another Celine biopic for a while. Overexposure is no good for anyone. Plus I suspect this one is bound to be even more of a hagiography.

nuts2you Rookie

nuts2you

Posted
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I wonder if RC ever did see this Movie about his MOM yet
zuv Apprentice

zuv

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Can we stream it in the US?

 

I watched it twice in theaters already, but id like to watch it again

 

 

Edited by zuv
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scielle Apprentice

scielle

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The French film Aline is nominated for ... Canadian Awards (Québec Awards actually). 8 nominations for the Iris Awards. Including, best actor, best actress (not even Valérie), Best make-up, best hairstyling...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24th_Quebec_Cinema_Awards

 

It’s a Canadian co-prod, so would be generally eligible for various Canadian awards.

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PuraVida Enthusiast

PuraVida

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The French film Aline is nominated for ... Canadian Awards (Québec Awards actually). 8 nominations for the Iris Awards. Including, best actor, best actress (not even Valérie), Best make-up, best hairstyling...

https://en.wikipedia...c_Cinema_Awards

 

I wonder if it would have been a taboo for Valerie to be nominated or win those categories. Anyway Danielle deserves some recognition

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scielle Apprentice

scielle

Posted
Posted

I wonder if it would have been a taboo for Valerie to be nominated or win those categories. Anyway Danielle deserves some recognition

 

Well I imagine for acting awards, the nominee has to be Canadian (but a film can be a co-production).

PuraVida Enthusiast

PuraVida

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Well I imagine for acting awards, the nominee has to be Canadian (but a film can be a co-production).

 

can anyone confirm?

  • 2 weeks later...
SlovakClark Newbie

SlovakClark

Posted
Posted

Ok so I finally got to see the movie and I have to say, after all those over the top reviews (extremely good vs literally freaky) I was really hoping for something overly artistic and original, almost with an expectation of quirky comedy.

 

Unfortunately I ended up getting disappointed. I felt like watching all those YouTube videos or documents about Celine's life, we've all seen million times over, only this time it was less funny, emotional, touching and with fake Celine.

 

I have no doubt tho this is a love letter to her, apart of the superimposed face (which I totally didn't mind, we all know how Celine looked like) it was made very very gently. That's why I don't understand her bloody sister complaining. For what? Lovely tribute?

 

I don't know if they were restricted by using her music in the movie but I felt it was too little and very meh performances.

 

Last scene was beautiful tho.

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PuraVida Enthusiast

PuraVida

Posted
Posted
yes some of the music choices were a bit odd. using nature boy as the main song, the english version of ziggy, bozo
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scielle Apprentice

scielle

Posted
Posted

Ok so I finally got to see the movie and I have to say, after all those over the top reviews (extremely good vs literally freaky) I was really hoping for something overly artistic and original, almost with an expectation of quirky comedy.

 

Unfortunately I ended up getting disappointed. I felt like watching all those YouTube videos or documents about Celine's life, we've all seen million times over, only this time it was less funny, emotional, touching and with fake Celine.

 

I have no doubt tho this is a love letter to her, apart of the superimposed face (which I totally didn't mind, we all know how Celine looked like) it was made very very gently. That's why I don't understand her bloody sister complaining. For what? Lovely tribute?

 

I don't know if they were restricted by using her music in the movie but I felt it was too little and very meh performances.

 

Last scene was beautiful tho.

 

Yeah, that pretty much sums up how I feel about it.

 

Curious what the reaction is going to be when it goes on SVOD and to a larger, not necessarily Celne-fan audience. I expect Cats jokes...

 

Well meaning, but to me, didn't live up to the ambition and expectation.

 

And yeah, the English version of Ziggy... oy. :wacko:

québecflower Newbie

québecflower

Posted
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is ther a Luc Plamondon song in the movie? don't remember.. Maybe he didn't want it. Just speculation on my part. Since he wrote the lyrics, does he have the right to do it.
Plus qu'ailleurs , but now Si c'était à refaire , i still love tant de temps....
scielle Apprentice

scielle

Posted
Posted

is ther a Luc Plamondon song in the movie? don't remember.. Maybe he didn't want it. Just speculation on my part. Since he wrote the lyrics, does he have the right to do it.

 

Well, there's Ziggy, but the English version so not his lyrics. I don't recall if here's anything else.

 

Noting though that publishing licenses are compulsory (i.e. anyone can record a song so long as they pay the requisite royalties to the songwriter; the songwriter can't prevent someone from recording their work). BUT, sync often requires songwriter or recording artist approval (meaning you can record a song, but if you want to use it in a movie, commercial, etc, you need to get sign-off).

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