My Life With James Dean

This was one of the most charming, interesting, fun movies I've seen in a while. I loved every single character in this movie, and I wish I could meet them all. It was definitely of the art house variety, but in a very good way. It was quirky, different, and I couldn't look away. I was fascinated with every minute. It's so simple of a concept, yet with so much depth. The acting was superb, and even the crazy elements made sense. It's been two weeks since I've seen it, and yet I'm still thinking about it. I wonder what would have happened to all the characters if it had kept going?

The title of this film is the title of the film at the heart of it. A French filmmaker finds himself in a provincial northern town near Calais, in order to show off his latest directing effort. Not known for its high-brow tastes, the town all but ignores his and the film's presence, but slowly, as more people experience it, the effect it has on viewers leads to new and renewed relationships. Geraud, the central character and the director of the film within a film, finds himself the object of desire of a ticket seller, while the chairperson who chose the film finds herself in an unwanted love triangle, the receptionist at Geraud's hotel ends up meeting a new boyfriend at a screening in a nearby town, and even convinces Geraud to write a screenplay about the town, albeit with a Bollywood twist.Describing the plot almost misses the point of the experience. I couldn't even tell you what the film is "about." It ends up playing a random series of semi-inter-connected events, but is it about the director? Is is about the seductive power of the film within a film? Is it about awakening something inside of yourself?American audiences may find the unanswered questions frustrating, but I ended up liking this film. It feels a lot longer than 90 minutes, probably because I couldn't watch this on my TV due to yet another subtitling issue from Amazon (I settled for viewing it on my computer). I have to add that there are a number of random situations that make the film feel unfocused. A theft happens at the start of the film, which doesn't end up mattering much. The love triangle creates some funny moments, but doesn't go very far. There's a random ride on a boat, which only seems to get the director seasick. And the ending, involving a charming terrorist, just sits there with no real explanation.But the breezy French charm and easy European attitude of the characters made it a lot more tolerable than an American version of it, where the director would be made to feel humiliated at every turn, whether because of the absence of the crowds, a rejection of a lover, or a seemingly illegal act at the end by the ticket collector. The film has enough grace and patience not to build up to a major reunion near the end as well, allowing it to play out with being overdramatic. By the end, I found that the story was a pleasant way to present the influence that a good film or book or writing can have on the public, if they're willing to discover it. Without the central film within a film, each of the characters would not have changed by the end, and that's a quietly powerful way to describe the power of art.

This is a sweet french romantic comedy. A musical! So enjoyable. And there is a traditional idea here. The older man and the younger lover. New twist, the young lover is another man. The story unfolds on the Normandy coast and is scenic from top to bottom. (!). I have watched it several times without getting tired of it. The ensemble cast is delightful. And so on. Rave review here. Oh. Does James Dean appear? No spoliers allowed. Sorry.

Just a delightful melange of rom-com with the occasional twist or two, an almost screwball sensibility that actually keeps you smiling, and a cast of characters following each other around a beautifully shot Normandy. Will it stand the test of time? Who knows? But when you're mixing James Dean fetishism with Bollywood production numbers and tossing it all back with shrimp and coffee, who cares? Confused? Good...now go watch the movie and it'll sort itself out, I promise!

I found myself remembering classic films like, "Like Water for Chocolate," while watching this gorgeously filmed story. Like LWFC, it interweaves the life and love stories of numerous characters, and plays them out without rushing. Perhaps the "without rushing" is the part in which I feel MLWJD might benefit from some dramaturg expertise. I don't object to films that take their time, but movies are called "movies" for a reason. All that said, the fine acting, and did I say GORGEOUS cinematography? ...more than make up for any complaints I have about the occasional slowness. Enjoy this work of art!

an old age comedy/romance in the new age. most entertaining, thought-provoking, and leaves you feeling good even if your wondering why. a film to lend to good hearts with a twist. what can I say? I think I liked it!

How fun! Quirky, with handsome starts - doesn't waste dialog ... very funny at times. I've watched it several times, and recommended it to friends.

Liked the movie very much but it went on too many tangents that distracted from the main story. Needs about 20 minutes edited out....Just when you think the movie is over another five minutes drone on about a sub-plot.

Bon film

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

In den ersten Minuten vom Film musste ich fast etwas mit dem Kopf schütteln und hatte den Gedanken:" Was für ein Blödsinn" doch je länger je mehr entwickelte sich die Geschichte zu einer sehr interessanten Geschichte mit lauter Hauptdarstellern. Jeder der Beteiligten hat auf seine Art ein Teil Lebensgeschichte und von Tragig bis hin zum Humor findet man alles wieder. Sehr gut gemacht kann ich jetzt sagen unddie Darsteller spielen alle hervorragend Ihre Rollen, so das man jeden auf seine Art und Weise Liebenswert findet.Ein Film den manauch zweimal ansehen kann.