Movie Review: My Wife is an Actress

Story: French writer/director/actor Yvan Attal presents us with a look at what it is like to be married to an actress -- or in this case...a movie star. His real life wife, Charlotte Gainsbourg, plays his movie wife in what can only be viewed as a semi-autobiographical account of what fame and celebrity can do to people who try to live a normal life in the public eye. So we get a smattering of jealousy, hand wringing, hair pulling, neurosis and goofball behavior - you might say, a bit of French fluff. I would imagine this is the side of the French psyche that adores Jerry Lewis and Woody Allen. Go figure!

There is a more interesting side story (for my taste, anyway) about being Jewish in France and the dilemma of circumcision for a mixed marriage couple and their new baby.

Acting: Charlotte Gainsbourg (La Buche, Jane Eyre) is a fine actress. I am sure we will be enjoying her performances for a long time to come. Her English is excellent and hopefully she will be hired to make some films in the US. Terrance Stamp, is on my short list of favorites (more on him below). Yvan Attal, was charming, though a bit frenetic, as the jealous husband.

Critters: None.

Food: It's French and half of the characters are Jewish - so of course, there is food.

Visual Art: Lots of nice details in the various homes.

Blatant Product Placement: French stuff.

Soundtrack: A bit much. Whenever they crossed from England back to France or vice versa, the soundtrack was overkill to further explain the new location.

Opening Titles: I don't remember.

Theater Audience: A sparse midday lunch crowd.

Predictability Level: High

Oscar Worthy: No.

Nit Picking: This was one of those films that was totally forgettable within an hour of leaving the theater.

Big Screen or Rental: Definitely a rental. However, Terrance Stamp has been making films for 40 years. Here are some of my favorites for you to rent: The Limey, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Company of Wolves, Superman, The Mind of Mr. Soames, Far From the Madding Crowd, The Collector and the most wonderful, Billy Budd.

Length: Under 2 hours

LOBO HOWLS: 5