Review: "Love Songs"

Which is a real shame, because Love Songs is the best modern musical since Once. Which isn't really saying much, I know, but it certainly blows Mamma Mia out of the water, and bears instant comparisons to last year's Irish sensation due to its naturalistic style and more contemporary music.
But that's where the comparisons end because Love Songs takes a very different approach to its material.
Set in Paris, Love Songs centers around a young couple, Ismael and Julie, who decide to open their relationship up to Ismael's co-worker, Alice, and become a three-way relationship. The toll of being in a relationship with multiple people begins to wear on the threesome, however, but when tragedy strikes, they have to come to terms with their grief in the own unique way, and some find love in the most unlikely of places, as an eager young college student (Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet) comes waltzing unexpetedly into their lives.

The most obvious standout, of course, is Alex Beaupain's gloriously heartbreaking music, that strikes the perfect balance between modern pop and showtunes, something akin to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg meets Spring Awakening, with the cast doing a remarkable job bringing the songs to life.

Honoré takes his cues from French classics such as the aforementioned Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Jean-Luc Godard's A Woman is a Woman to create the film's bubbly yet realistic feel that seems at once heightened and immediate, taking place on a slightly higher, more romantic plane but never losing touch with reality.
Love Songs is one of those films I just wanted to envelop myself in completely, losing myself amidst its enthralling French charms. For those willing to give themselves up to it, Love Songs offers a feast for the mind and the heart, overwhelming the senses and transporting us into its delicately constructed rhythms. It's the year's tastiest surprise.
GRADE - ***½ (out of four)
LOVE SONGS; Directed by Christophe Honoré; Stars Louis Garrel, Ludivine Sagnier, Chiara Mastroianni, Clotilde Hesme, Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet, Brigitte Rouan; Not Rated; In French w/English subtitles
Comments
Glad you did too, Matt.
I am not so sure that most of the intelligensia are as thrilled with it as we are, but who cares? This is a strong contender for the year-end ten best list. I will look at the DVD to confirm my strong theatrical reaction. As is generally the case when you (or anyone) loves something, your talent rises to the top! Beautiful work here.