I love watching foreign films. Most of them have a certain rawness to them that American projects tend to fail at achieving; others, more charm. If you don't mind reading captions and love deciphering the differences in both language and cinema, check out these French movies available on Netflix.
And yes, I totally meant for my title to rhyme.
1. "Breathe" (2014) - 9/10
- Josephine Japy, left, and Lou de Laage in "Breathe"
"It is always the words that are not said that sting the most."
"Breathe" follows the psychological story of Charlie (Joséphine Japy), a bored French girl arising out of a troubled home. Her father is abusive and her mother steadily forgives him, creating a depressing atmosphere within the household. However, Charlie's familiar experiences eventually take a turn when new student Sarah (Lou de Laâge) enters with promises of boldness and charisma. The two girls instantly connect and form a seemingly unbreakable bond. However, what started off as secrets and clothing shared turns into restrained emotions and personal suffering when Charlie learns the truth behind Sarah's lies.
Pros:
- Touches topics like friendship, abuse, bullying, and obsession.
- Portrays symptoms of anxiety that may hit close to home.
- Shows whats harmful about self-destruction, and the fascination of being hurt.
Cons:
- The ending.
2. "Girl on a Bicycle" (2014) - 5/10
- Vincenzo Amato, left, and Nora Tschirner in 'Girl on a Bicycle'
"In Paris, an Italian bus driver pulls up beside a cyclist."
No, this is not the beginning of a joke.
More on the feel-good side, "Girl on a Bicycle" is a classic romantic spin with multi-national jokes. Paolo (Vincenzo Amato) just proposed to his German girlfriend of three years, Greta (Nora Tschirner). Paolo is a huge romantic and believe of true love, so imagine his distraught when he pulls beside alluring French beauty Cécile (Louise Monot) on a bicycle and can't get the encounter out of his mind. He later receives horrible advice from his Irish womanizing friend (Paddy Considine) about how to meet her--"Just talk to her!"--and follows suit. This starts nothing but trouble and Paolo finds himself with a "wife" and two Austrailan children who know him as "Papa." Wait, what?
Pros:
- A fun film to put on when you want something light and cute.
- Pretty characters with even prettier locations.
- There are some diamonds in the plot, be sure to pay attention.
Cons:
- Plays on national stereotypes, clichés, and goofy situations.
- Really bad character motivation.
3. "Girlhood" (2014) - 8.5/10
- Karidja Toure in "Girlhood"
"How amazing it is to even briefly belong."
Marieme (Karidja Touré) is desperate for a change. The African-French youth lives in an apartment in the outskirts of Paris, where her mother is barely around and doesn't even know that her daughter is failing school. Instead, she leaves Marieme in the hands of her domineering brother and impressionable younger sister for the majority of the film.
Situations change when Marieme meets three volatile outlaws (Assa Sylla, Lindsay Karamoh, and Marietta Toure) and infiltrates into their girl gang. It is within this band of friendship that Marieme discovers herself and transforms from a hopeless girl into a sort of heroine that breathes confidence. However, the time between the girls is fleeting, for Marieme chooses foolish ways to break out of bleak prospects, only turning already uncertain pathways into a haze.
Pros:
- Truthful characters performed by remarkable actresses/actors.
- A good look at what happens when a person is thrown into early adulthood.
Cons:
- The entire film seems hazy on what Merieme's next step is, which always seems like a downward spiral.
- Polished like an MTV video, but lacking important momentum.
4. "Popular" (2012) - 7/10
- Deborah Francois, left, and Romain Duris in "Populaire"
"A breezy, light-hearted approach to the late-1950s style."
Ambitious, cinematic, and flirtatious, "Populaire" is the perfect chick-flick with '50s class and elegance. I felt like I needed chocolate macaroons and a glass of rosé to add effect to the entire experience.
Rose Pamphyle's (Déborah François) domineering father intends for her to marry the village’s greatest catch, a car mechanic, but Rose has other plans. The 21-year-old confidently heads out of town in hopes of getting a secretarial job at an insurance agency run by Louis Échard (Romain Duris). Louis is brooding, handsome, and not swayed by Rose's objectives. However, he hires her upon noticing one thing: the speed of her typewriting. It is his goal to make her the fastest in the world, but issues arise when the two find themselves gripped in romance.
Pros:
- Overall a very delightful and happy film.
- Man, do I love Bob. He is a classic American.
- The costumes designs were spot-on and gorgeous.
Cons:
- Predictable.
- Strictly superficial with no substance. Much like a stale cupcake.
- Occasional sexist assumptions from both parties, but I guess it adds authenticity.
5. 'Tomboy' (2011) - 8/10
- Levan Malone, left, and Zoé Wonder in 'Tomboy'
"A heartbreaking tale about a child who is growing up different."
Laure (Zoé Héran) is a 10-year-old child whose family just moved into a new Paris neighborhood during the summer holiday. Upon seeing some boys outside at play, Laure leaves the home only to see that the group had already left. Instead, Laure meets Lisa (Jeanne Disson) and Laure introduces himself as Mikäel for the first time--and for the rest of the summer. Mikel eventually becomes friends with the rest of the neighborhood kids and a potential love interest for Lisa but how long does it take before appearances come to an end?
Pros:
- Deep, thoughtful, and intense without too much action.
- I adored Jeanne and her relationship with Mikäel.
- Breaks some ground in the young transgender world.
Cons:
- Everything--from the plot to the script--seemed shallow.
- A bit slow at times.
