Sometimes I roll the dice and decide to watch a random foreign language film. I recently chose France (2021) for three reasons; I’ve been trying to improve my French, I don’t mind Lea Seydoux, and I found the premise interesting.
Written/directed by Bruno Dumont, France stars Seydoux as France de Meurs, a celebrity journalist who’s having trouble balancing her career and personal life. Little does she know that things are about to get worse before they get better.
The acting in France is not terrible. But, sadly, the story edit is quite disappointing. There are shots that are held for so long that you start to wonder whether the powers that be were attempting to break a record.
The good news for me is that there is one thing that stood out in a positive way, and that is France’s costume design. I adore the colours, textures and silhouettes of Lea’s character’s outfits. And now that this post is published, I can selfishly revisit all the looks at my leisure.
I’m still very much into France the country as a wonderful place to visit, but France the film? I cannot say I recommend it for the story execution. But the fashion? Decide for yourself.
Classic and angelic, but is she, angelic?
Camel on cream… gorgeous.
Ciao, blue… looking all rich and well-hued.
The words are ‘stunning while sad’.
Hello, arresting jewel tone!
Sequinned and moody.
The deep fuchsia, yellow, brown and blue tones that I couldn’t look away from.
Sometimes one just needs a single reason to keep watching a less-than-great film. Glad I stuck with it. And in case you’re wondering, I’m almost certain that all these outfits are courtesy of Louis Vuitton.
Happy Film Loving,
G
The Movie My Life 
Same system I use to see many (mostly) interesting films
High five to that. 🤓
The colours do look fantastic.
Exactement! 🤓❤️
I always try and find a positive within a film as well. People have worked so hard on them that just because it didn’t work as a whole..doesn’t mean that someone like the costume or makeup etc.. isn’t good.
Very well said, Peggy. 🤓❤️
👋🙏Nice 💕 💯 blog. I hope you also follow my blog and we rely on our posts with feedback.
A cordial greeting from the south of Spain 🇪🇦
Thank you very much 🙏🫂💯
Gosh, the sequin and moody against that bench is just perfect and those red lips are a statement in themselves!
Amen to all of that! 😁👏
I have not heard of this movie, but I went and watched the trailer, so I’m wondering what did you think about the message (how the filmmakers succeeded in conveying their message)?
It feels very European as France and many other developed European countries are going through an identity crisis with the number of immigrants changing their cultural landscape.
France the film is definitely very European, specifically French in terms of the way French films tend to end. As for what it has to say about the immigration situation, the divide between the haves and the have-nots is quite clear. However, the matter wasn’t dived into in a way that left me thinking about it afterwards. Films such as Athena (2022) and Parasite (2019) do a much better job of that.
France, Lea Seydoux’s character does go through a journey of realising that she’s lost her way, especially where the style/focus of her reporting is concerned. However, the aforementioned irritatingly super long shots and the story edit made me turn off from the meaning of everything, and instead just focus in on the beauty of the clothing which one can argue overpowered everything else.
I understand. It sounds like a movie with very deliberate artistic choices that not necessarily gel well with a general audience.
Precisely. In some ways, it may just be ‘too French’ for me. 🤓
Colorful surprise! (Cue house beats) “And walk, and walk, and Turn.. More passion, more passion🎶👩🏿🎤🥻👗🫦💄”
I haven’t seen the film, but I love your work here🤓
Many thank yous, E.F. 🤓🙏
💃😁🎶😂🎵
Pretty clothes. Sorry to hear the film wasn’t that good.
I’m glad I found something to like about it. 🤓 Also, I always try to remember that making a great film is difficult. That’s why when all the elements come together perfectly, it really is worth celebrating.
Well-said, Gia!
😊❤️