MY WIFE IS AN ACTRESS/ MA FEMME EST UNE ACTRICE
France, 2001, 95 minutes, Colour.
Charlotte Gainsbourg, Yvan Attal, Terence Stamp, Noemie Lvovski, Keith Allen, Ludivine Sagnier.
Directed by Yvan Attal.
There is a lot to like in this easy-going comedy about what it is to be a celebrity - and what it is like to be the unknown spouse of that celebrity. In fact, Charlotte Gainsbourg is charming as the famous film star, Charlotte, always being asked for photographs, victim of media speculation about her relationships, devoted to her husband, wanting a baby. But, Yvan Attal, as Yvan her sports reporter husband, is not charming at all even though he wants to be. He is easily provoked by the fans, can become suspicious, even jealous, while he commutes between Paris and London while she is filming with John, Terence Stamp. In the lack of charm stakes, Yvan is outdone by his gratingly strident sister, Nathalie, who is pregnant and defiantly Jewish against all comers, including her inoffensive husband. That's the picture - and it is all done with Gallic spirit, humour and wry observation.
What makes it all the more arresting is that Charlotte Gainsbourg and Yvan Attal are, in fact, husband and wife - although, in real life, Attal is better known than his cinema character, Yvan. In fact, Attal himself has written and directed the film, giving the morose and jealous lines to himself. While we enjoy the surface of the film, we can't help trying to read between the lines. And, to repeat, Charlotte Gainsbourg is charming.
1. The title? The focus on “my� and Yvan’s experience? The focus on the actress, Charlotte and her life and career? The background of the actors being partners in real life?
2. The Paris settings, London settings, the Channel train? The world of the media, moviemaking and promotion? Sports writing, sports casting? Homes and apartments, movie sets, restaurants? The musical score?
3. The couple, the irony of the title, the writer and his reputation? The actress and her reputation? Their careers, prominence? Life together, the fans and their intrusions, autographs, policeman and tickets and being benign, Charlotte able to get restaurant reservations? Who was controlling the couple? Who made the decisions?
4. Yvan, in himself, his work, interests, attitude towards his wife, living with her celebrity?
5. Charlotte, in herself, her work, with fellow actors, the French, the British, with John? The director and his conditions for her performing nude?
6. Yvan being asked the question about his wife, nude, making love on screen? His doubts, increasing, his going to London and back?
7. John, the film star, the matinee idol, Terence Stamp and his style, age, sexual reputation? His wife and relationships?
8. The sister, the emphasis on the Jewish background, her husband and the issue of circumcision, her pregnancy and the birth of the baby?
9. Supporting characters, the English director and his assistant? The young actress and her contribution?
10. The ending, with Charlotte was telling a lie or not? French attitudes towards sexuality and affairs? Telling a lie or not and whether she was a good actress or not? And the prospect of a baby?
