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Barbara

Where to Watch Barbara

2017

Barbara is a 2017 French drama, directed by Mathieu Amalric, and features a stellar cast including Jeanne Balibar, Vincent Peirani, Aurore Clément, and the director himself. This film offers a unique exploration of the life and works of the eponymous French chanteuse, Barbara. Rather than a conventional biographical portrayal, Barbara is an elegant blend of fiction and documentary, a melodious tribute to the renowned singer told through a filmmaking process within the film itself.

Famed French actress Jeanne Balibar stars as Brigitte, an actress preparing to play Barbara in an upcoming biopic. She immerses herself in the character with almost method-like dedication, delving into archival footage, recordings, and biographical materials related to the singer's life. Throughout the film, the line between the actress and the character she is portraying begins to blur quite ingeniously, offering a metamorphosis of Balibar into Barbara.

Central to the film is the character of Yves Zand (played by director Mathieu Amalric), the eccentric and obsessive director of the in-film biopic. His fascination with Barbara parallels Brigitte's and his drive goes beyond making a commercially successful bio-pic. He aims to capture the soul and essence of Barbara, her enigmatic presence, her unparalleled stage persona, and the intimate complexity of her character.

The viewers are delicately transported between three distinct realities: one, the actual life and times of Barbara; two, the reality of the committed actress Brigitte striving to depict Barbara as accurately as possible; and three, the world of Yves, the dedicated director passionate about bringing Barbara's world to life on screen. These intertwining dimensions of reality and representation at times merge, resonate and echo each other, creating an appealingly layered atmospheric drama.

Music undeniably serves as an essential element in this film. Immortal tracks of Barbara infuse soul into the narrative, taking the audience on an emotional journey. As Brigitte gets deeper into her character, she emulates not only Barbara's style and quirks but also her soulful renditions. The captivating performances interspersed throughout the narrative amplify the film's emotional depth, captivativeness and resonance.

Visually, the film is a work of impeccable artistry. The cinematography is striking and inventive, with a meticulous attention to detail. As the film takes turns between different periods, various color palettes, ranging from stark black and white to vibrant colors, are utilized effectively. The aesthetic beauty and charm of the vintage Parisian setting serve as a lovely backdrop to this nuanced narrative.

In a stand-out performance, Jeanne Balibar manages to masterfully absorb the essence of Barbara's character, encapsulating her grace, solitude, and charm while maintaining the eerie yet intriguing ambiguity that marked the singer's persona. Balibar's portrayal merits special applause as she manages to infuse her performance with authenticity without slipping into mere mimicry, resulting in an enduring tribute to Barbara.

Also deserving praise is Mathieu Amalric, who not only directs but also plays a crucial role in the film. His portrayal of the neurotic yet passionate director Yves is layered, intense, and deeply engaging. His vision is ingrained into every element of the film, from the complex narrative structure to the striking visual style, and culminates in a thoughtful and compelling tribute.

The film concludes on a note of wistful elegance, paying homage to the timeless charm and grace of the legendary singer, Barbara. The narrative's purpose is not to unravel her mysteries but to celebrate her, her enigmatic persona, her alluring stage presence, and her profound music and lyrics. It's an eloquent, compelling, and respectful salute to an artist who in many ways personified French chanson.

In essence, Barbara is a thought-provoking, emotional, and highly artistic film. It's a layered cinematic experiment that weaves together docudrama, biopic, and fiction in a mesmerizing narrative, celebrating the life and contribution of the iconic French singer. More than a biography, it's a tribute, an intimate exploration, a love-letter penned in the form of cinema. For those who appreciate film as an art form and have a fondness for the persona and music of Barbara, this film is a must-see.

Barbara is a Drama movie released in 2017. It has a runtime of 99 min. Critics and viewers have rated it moderate reviews, with an IMDb score of 6.1. It also holds a MetaScore of 68.

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Where can I stream Barbara movie online? Barbara is available to watch and stream, buy on demand, download at Kanopy, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play. Some platforms allow you to rent Barbara for a limited time or purchase the movie for downloading.

6.1/10
68/100
Director
Mathieu Amalric
Stars
Jeanne Balibar, Mathieu Amalric
Genres
Also starring Jeanne Balibar