Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life Opens This Weekend

By Betsy Mikel in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 27, 2011 3:00PM

The francophile in us is thrilled for a new film coming to the Music Box Theatre this weekend. Anyone who knows a thing or two about French culture is familiar with icon Serge Gainsbourg, French singer, songwriter, director and actor. This year marks the 20th anniversary of his death. Gainsbourg’s influence extends beyond his country’s borders, so Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life, is worth seeing even if you’re not so into the French thing. The film makes its Chicago premiere tomorrow night.

This is Joann Sfar’s first film, who is a graphic novelist and Gainsbourg enthusiast. According to reviews, Sfar brings many of his comic book artist skills to the film, making for original storytelling. And Gainsbourg certainly already had an interesting life. A Jew growing up in Nazi-occupied Paris who rose to pop culture superstar and love interest of many women, Gainsbourg had the life that makes movies great. Eric Elmosnino plays the leading role and he won Best Actor, Best First Film at the César Awards 2011 and Best Actor at the Tribeca Film Festival 2010 for the role.

Other articles have discussed the fashion in the film, which takes place in the ‘60s and ‘70s. A Lucky Magazine blog called the movie “the most stylish movie opening this weekend.” We don’t usually rely on Lucky Magazine for movie recommendations, but we’re seeing the film anyway. So the added perk about its stylishness just encourages us more.

Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life, opening Friday, Oct. 28, Chicago's Music Box Theatre, 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. Check the schedule for more show times.