Review: "Aline" is a Stranger Version of Your Average Biopic

By: Christopher James

Director/actress Valerie Lemercier tackles the life of "Aline Dieu" from age 5 to 50.Aline is a conundrum and a contradiction. More than any other recent biopic, Aline soldiers through all of the cliches and plot devices we’ve seen repeated ad nauseum. Yet, there’s a bizarre core that spins every scene on the axis. Much like the “subject,” Céline Dion, it’s a movie that tries to appear normal, but is so much wackier than one would imagine. 

Everyone’s first question is answered in the opening disclaimer. “This film is inspired by the life of Céline Dion. It is, however, a work of fiction. As such, some characters, places and facts have been modified, in keeping with the filmmakers’ vision.” Céline Dion songs are used throughout the film and the closest the movie comes to a central storyline mimics Dion’s own relationship with her much older manager, René Angélil. It’s hard to see why a name change was needed when so many other elements hewed close to life. 

So is Aline “so bad it’s good,” “better than expected” or just “bad bad”?

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César Winners: Cate Blanchett, 'Annette', and 'Lost Illusions'

by Nathaniel R

Cate Blanchett and Isabelle Huppert backstage at the Césars (that's Ronald Chammah, Isabelle's man, between them)

France's top awards, the Césars, were held last night. The historical costume drama Lost Illusions which had led the nominations took home the most prizes including Best Film. But all was not lost for its competition since all but one of them won at least one César. The thorny musical tragedy Annette was the runner up in terms of wins even repeating the Best Director win at Cannes for Leos Carax. And of course Cate Blanchett took the Honorary César and was introduced by Isabelle Huppert herself.

The winners and comments and a few videos from the show are after the jump. (If we've written about the film, it's linked up)...

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