Attila Marcel (2013)

Directed by: Sylvain Chomet
Country: France

Movie Review: Acclaimed French director, Sylvain Chomet, known for his successful animated achievements, “The Triplets of Belleville” and “The Illusionist”, the latter adapted from an original screenplay by Jacques Tati, returns with actors in flesh and bone for his first live-action feature, combining comedy, drama and musical in a satisfactory way. The story follows 33-year-old Paul (Guillaume Gouix), a gifted pianist who stopped talking at the age of two, after witnessing his parents’ death. Raised and spoiled by two incredible aunts, Annie (Bernardette Lafont) and Anna (Hélene Vincent), who suspect he’s doing drugs, Paul will be helped in secrecy by a terminally ill neighbor and activist, Mme. Proust (Anne Le Ny). To complete his life changing, he will find the future mother of his child, and his attitude will improve after becoming the winner of an important piano competition he’s been pursuing for years. “Attila Marcel” mixes the universes of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Jacques Demy, with its colorful visuals, dreamy ambiances, introverted romance, and introducing joyful jazz sequences into the classic tunes from the past. Its sweetness and extravagancy, brings some funny moments, most of them in the second half, exactly when the tough memories become clearer in Paul’s consciousness. This compensates the not so auspicious starting, which seemed to take the film to boring places. Gouix was great in its role, even saying just one word throughout the entire movie, while Chomet gives a step forward from his comfort zone.