General Discussion : French films for someone who tends not to like French films?

[nauru]

Hi,

I need to watch more French-language films (to maintain/improve my ability in the language).

But I generally don't like French films. Amelie, which so many people loved, I really found excruciatingly boring. Ditto for most other French films I've seen which seem to go extremely far out of their way to be 'artistic'. Even la Femme Nikita I found pretty borderline, although to its credit there were several non-boring parts in my opinion despite the abundance of very random, very 'French' parts . Feel free to check my ratings. I don't have a lot of French-language films listed there because most of the ones I've seen I watched too long ago to give what I feel is a sufficiently accurate rating.

I don't mean to offend, and I realize there are a lot of people who really get a lot out of films like Amelie. But those just are not my thing.

Rather than just giving up on all French-language cinema though, I prefer to check if there are some actors and directors who I'd potentially enjoy more.

Also, are there French-language films out there which do not follow the typical formula of 'kind of run-down-yet-charming locale' with some people walking around, talking in mumbled speech, making food in a somewhat dirty-looking kitchen, long sections of no dialog or plot advancement, not much plot to begin with, and hardly any music in the background (and when the music does play, it's very minimalistic and spartan).

For example can anyone recommend some good French-language action films? Or suspense? Or thriller? Or adventure? Or history? Or war? Or science fiction? Or anything outside slow drama and comedy?

That would be really excellent! Thanks.

[PeaceAnarchy]

Also, are there French-language films out there which do not follow the typical formula of 'kind of run-down-yet-charming locale' with some people walking around, talking in mumbled speech, making food in a somewhat dirty-looking kitchen, long sections of no dialog or plot advancement, not much plot to begin with, and hardly any music in the background (and when the music does play, it's very minimalistic and spartan).

I get the feeling you're thinking of something specific with this description but I can't think of any French film that fits it.

Our tastes are pretty vastly different and I love Amelie and French films in general, but I'll give it a shot. For the record I don't consider Amelie or Nikita very representative of the French films I've seen. Could you name some other French films you've seen and don't like? I could give you a ton that aren't like Amelie or Nikita, but I have a feeling many wouldn't interest you either. Here's some that might work for you:

Coup de torchon: A really great black comedy built on suspense.
Le Corbeau: A 40's suspense film that is also excellent.
Army of Shadows: A film about the French resistance, really interesting though you might find it slow if even Nikita is too boring for you.

Really I'm just shooting in the dark here. The only French action or adventure film I can think of is Banlieu 13, which was ok but pretty silly, maybe you'll like it though.

[ShogunRua]

I hate pretentious cinema as much as anyone, but I absolutely love directors Godard, Chabrol, and Truffaut. Those guys are all geniuses of the highest caliber, and their films are masterpieces. Have you seen their work?

Anyways, if you are more in the mood for fast-paced action or action comedy, I loved the two Jean Reno films

"The Visitors" and "Wasabi".

[td888]

A Prophet (2009)

An excellent movie
http://www.criticker.com/film/Un_prophete/

[JooJoo]

It sounds like you're watching Chantal Akerman flicks from that awkward summary PA quoted. There's no set theme for any region of films, especially one as long-running as the French; experiment away and you're bound to find something that clicks with you.

Start with the classics. Grand Illusion, 400 Blows are probably the most renown. Pretty much anything from early Claude Chabrol would probably fill the need for suspense. For the romantically inclined, go for anything Truffaut - or better yet - Eric Rohmer. Louis Malle is a fav of mine and hits on a lot of different genres, almost all excelling in. Max Ophuls is just about a knock-out with anything he does. Jean-Pierre Melville dabbles in the gangster mold and is another heavy hitter. You seem to be against 'arty' types, so I won't recommend Robert Bresson or Alain Resnais, although they're both high up for me. If you must go for Godard (who has been ever-so-slowly growing on me), definitely go Breathless for starters. And this is really just the basics, there's a lot out there.

[JooJoo]

Fantastic Planet or anything else from Laloux is also highly recommendable. forgot about them.

[TheDenizen]

City of Lost Children (dark and bizarre fantasy)
Le Samourai (crime thriller)
Dobermann (over the top action/heist)
Baxter (a psychotic boy and his dog)
Man Bites Dog (B&W fake documentary about a serial killer)
Frontier(s), Inside (both gore/horror)
District B13 (martial arts/parkour action)

[Anomaly1]

A great thread for me, as I've been disappointed by many of the French films I've been watching lately, and am not really looking forward to watching more. If the rest of Melville's films are nearly as good as Le Samourai then he's definitely worth checking out. I also haven't been having much luck with the French New Wave so far, but have had better luck with New French Extremity, although if you're not looking for arty things then maybe you should avoid those.

[frederic_g54]

Diabolique (1955) and The Vanishing (1988) are both effective thrillers, the tension is palpable. Chris Marker's La Jetee (inspiration for the 12 Monkeys) should satisfy your sci-fi needs.

and you can't go wrong with TheDenizen's picks, you should check them out aswell