Comme une image [Look at me]

Agnes Jaoui, France, 2004, 110 minutes

This wonderful film centres on Lolita, the daughter of Etienne, a famous novelist. Lolita suffers from low self esteem because she is larger than the figures in the magazines and cannot see she is also pretty. Her father is an emotional leech - always demanding she run around after her while giving nothing back in return. She does not even know which of her friends she can rely on as many of them only use her to get to know her father who loves this as he always demands new worshippers. Even her boyfriend does not love her.

However she does not recognise her own talents - she is a fine singer and is organising a concert, and she attracts the romantic attention of Sebastien.

Things move to their climax - her singing teacher (married to a second rate novelist) on learning of Lolita's parentage begins to cultivate her more, and even grows to like her. As time goes on the images to which the French title alludes fade and things begin to be seen as they are and the characters will have to face the truth - be it nice or nasty.

Agnes Jaoui has already triumphed once with Un Gout Des Autres and does so again in this wonderfully warm and human comedy. She and the cast create a range of complex and well rounded characters - Lolita although deserving of our sympathy is shown to bring many problems on herself. Etienne though an egocentric does have a softer side. It never simplifies people's emotions and feelings but allows us to engage with them fully and Jaoui creates a rich a coherent cinematic world.

French Cinema has always been concerned with detailed explorations of the human condition - this film is lighter than many of them but never sacrifices depth and intelligence. A must see from one of the most promising directors of recent years.

Review by Louise Oliver
Written for EUFS Programme Spring 2006