Diva

Diva (1981)

  • 96% of critics liked it
    (45 reviews)

  • 86% of users liked it
    (5,924 ratings)

The diva of the title is a famous black opera singer (Wilhelmina Wiggins-Fernandez) who steadfastly refuses to be recorded. The singer is idolized by young French mail-carrier Jules (Frederic Andrei), who sneaks a tape recorder into the theater and records her performance. This is witnessed by a… More

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R, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By
Jean-Jacques Beineix
Written By
Jean-Jacques Beineix
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense
In Theaters
Mar 11, 1981 Wide
On DVD
Oct 28, 1997
Rialto Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Sid Smith, Chicago Tribune

    The movie's a maelstrom of possibilities touching ethnic relations, high art, fashion and modern morality, not to mention cinema.

  • Ty Burr, Boston Globe

    As with so many pop moments a quarter-century on, what once looked sexy now smells a little sexist.

  • Philip Kennicott, Washington Post

    Diva, as a lifestyle, a fantasy, a model for alienation and solipsism and eccentricity, has gone deep into all of us.

  • Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

    A light-headed, fleet-footed French caper, Jean-Jacques Beineix's ultra-stylish Diva stormed the art houses when it was released in 1982, and it's still a lot of fun now -- though its hip patina feels more quaint these days than cool.

  • Leba Hertz, San Francisco Chronicle

    I still loved every minute of it.

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jennifer D


    My dad LOVED this. And it was fairly interesting. The last bit was well shot, very pretty and slightly existential.

  • Elvira B


    You won't know what hit you when, halfway through it, the feeling settles in your mind that this movie is really, really good. It's a mad French movie that slowly creeps into your bones as it begins to build insane subplot after subplot on the para-dimensional atmosphere of… More

  • Jonny C


    This was the first foreign language movie I seen. I remember as a 12 year old being captivated by the style and cinematography of the director. The story is tense and exciting and the characters are so rich, that they almost pop out of the screen.

  • Doctor S


    'Diva' Hits Too Many Wrong Notes Was I the only one paying attention to the illogical events and implausible situations that occurred in this film and not just watching the pretty pictures? Stylistic camp I'd call it, which came as a big disappointment considering some… More

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