Populaire

Despite spirited performances from the leads, Populaire is very much a film in the light entertainment mold, where events adhere to a tried-and-trusted formula and nothing life-changing happens. One of the problems is that it doesn't fully commit to either comedy, romance or dramatic thrills. Its slightly droll universe could have been a riot in the hands of someone like Jeunet. On the plus side, the 1950s sets and costumes were top notch and certainly looked the part as a kitsch retro fantasy.

The film feels a little hamstrung by its commitment to imitating the lightest of light comedies of the 1960s, especially when it tries--very occasionally--to introduce a slight element of feminist subversion to what is otherwise a straight pastiche. The look of the production is, however, unimpeachable, with an impressively authentic-looking photography (by Guillaume Schiffman of 'The Artist', 'OSS 117', etc., fame); some shots could easily be mistaken for period footage.

My rating would be much lower, but the French have a way of making ridiculous comedies seem not-so ridiculous (in this case typewriting as a competitive sport).

Predictable mainstream romcom.

Tão amável e meigo, expandiu meu chakra cardíaco!

Very sweet but genuinely funny, if only in the gentlest form. There's no bite to this though if that's what you're after, as in Potiche, for instance. Fun.

ger; [populaire]; ein kleinstädtisches fräulein erhält einen job als sekretärin in der stadt - mit der chance sich vor arbeitgeber und im schreibmaschinenwettbewerb zu beweisen.; (sehr süßer französischer film);

Beautifully shot, fun love story, with possibly the most boring competition to base a story around. Good movie.

top grade to the costumier, 10 out of 10..

A trifle, yes, but what a trifle; a beautiful, funny and charming - definitely charming - take on whimsical rom-com. The typing competitions around which the film is centred add a unique twist of momentum, and the top-billed cast deliver funny, likeable turns, but the real win here is the meticulously crafted '50s France setting, beautiful and wistful.