ALINE

Canada, 2020, 126 minutes. Colour.

Valerie Lemercier, Sylvian Marcel, Roc Lafortune, Danielle Fichaud, Antoine Vezine, Jean-Noel Broute. Voice of Vistoria Sio.

Aline Dieu. See and hear Celine Dion.

Why the change of name? One thought would be that an audience for a documentary on Celine Dion might be limited in its appeal. Rather, a fictionalised account of her life and career would draw on a wider audience, her fans, those who know of her, those who like storytelling rather than documentation. However, a documentary would include quite an amount of footage of Celine Dion singing. Not that there are not songs and singing in this story.

An assurance for those who expect to hear “My heart will go on…”. It does appear – in a re-enactment of her singing the song at the Oscars when Titanic won Best Picture.

French-Canadian actress, Valerie Lemercier, must be Celine Dion’s biggest fan, number one fan. Not only has she written the screenplay and directed, she appears as the singer (and with some strange special effects, even as the singer age 12 –, at the time of making the film, Valerie Lemercier was 55).

What we have here is a straightforward story of a singer, life within her very large family, family bonds, an ambitious mother, a genial supportive father, her being brought to the attention of entrepreneur, Guy-Claude Kamar when she was 12. And, as they say, and they say it often, and here we say it, the rest is history!

The Dieu  family is very large, 14 children. But, Aline has a singing talent and the family is not afraid of pushing her forward. And Aline is not afraid of being pushed. So, the early part of the film shows her as something of a child prodigy, making her impact on television, then in concerts, an ever-growing public following.

There are some emotional complications when she falls in love – or, rather, a gradual deepening of her love for Guy, considered far too old for her. And her mother, always interfering to protect her daughter as well as promote her, disapproves. But, Aileen has a strong personality and wants to make decisions for her own life, marrying Guy. He is continually present, managing her, urging her on, loving her.

Aline learns English, gains an audience in the English-speaking world as well is the French speaking world. She has some difficulties, not allowed to speak let alone sing for three months, not endangering her vocal chords. She wants to become pregnant, eventually does, the couple having the son on whom she dotes. Then, seemingly unexpectedly, pregnant again, and twins. There are some family dynamics, the son with his moments of jealousy towards the twins… But having the delight of his first concert seeing his mother perform on stage.

The action moves rather rapidly in the latter part of the film, months flying by, then some years, especially as the children grow up, Aline continues her singing. There are some griefs, her mother’s illness, but recovery, eventually her father’s death and, ultimately, the death of her husband after 21 years of marriage.

The final song of the film is worth listening to, a recapitulation in its lyrics of her own life, ups and downs, career, family, love, and ordinary woman, she sings, whose appeal is basically for her public. (And, to note, the voice of the songs is not that of Celine Dion but dubbed by Victoria Sio.)

1. Audience interest in Celine Dion? Her life? Her career? Her talent?
2. The decision to do a fictional biography, change the name of the family? Not to do a documentary? To keep the outline of Celine Dion’s life and career? How effective?
3. The work of the director, her writing the screenplay, performing the role, the special effects for Aline at 12? The dubbed singing?
4. A fairly straightforward biography? The background of the family in Canada, the grandparents, way of life, the farm, Aline’s father, marrying her mother? The large family, Aline’s place? The spirit of the family and sharing, the cramped house and rooms, meals…?
5. Aline and her talent, singing, making the tape, her brother promoting her, sending the tape, no answer, the phone call, the visit, Guy and his listening, impressed?
6. Aline at a young age, the training, the tapes, albums, concerts, television appearances? With celebrities? Her response to the public?
7. The outline of her career, Guy and his managing, her relying on him, dependence, love, his character, divorces, managing Aline, always present, the best for her? Aline in love, wanting to marry, her mother’s strong reaction? The persevering, the wedding?
8. The details of the career, the various concerts, the public reaction, the crowds, a range of songs, learning English, the English-speaking audience? National tours, to New York, to Paris and Europe? Singing at the Oscars, Titanic?
9. Pregnant, the effect on her, the birth, her son, doting on him? The screenplay moving rapidly, over the months, the years, his growing up, at his mother’s first concert?
10. Aline pregnant again, her son’s reaction? The birth of the twins? The screenplay moving quickly, the months, years, the twins growing up? Aline as mother, the touch of jealousy with her son? The three waiting at the window to see her come home?
11. Aline with her staff, at home looking after the children, the make up artist, Fred, sacked, his work with Aline, the dress for the Oscars, her employing in, his becoming a confidante?
12. Illness in the family, her mother, recovering? The quiet father, always supportive? His death? Guy, illness, his death, 21 years of marriage?
13. The effect of the final song, its lyrics, summarising her life in perspective, an ordinary woman, singing for the public?