On connaît la chanson, (Same Old Song ) (1997)

64% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(1,297 ratings)

In this homage to acclaimed TV scripter Dennis Potter (1935-1994), famed 75-year-old French director Alain Resnais (Hiroshima, Mon Amour, Last Year at Marienbad) has actors lip-synch in a manner instantly recalling Potter's Pennies from Heaven (1978 TV serial, 1981 movie) and The Singing Detective… More In this homage to acclaimed TV scripter Dennis Potter (1935-1994), famed 75-year-old French director Alain Resnais (Hiroshima, Mon Amour, Last Year at Marienbad) has actors lip-synch in a manner instantly recalling Potter's Pennies from Heaven (1978 TV serial, 1981 movie) and The Singing Detective (1986), regarded by some as the best original work ever created for television. Completing her history dissertation, Camille (Agnes Jaoui) is a Paris tour guide, and Simon (Andre Dussolier) is a regular on her tours because he's attracted to Camille -- although he claims to be researching his historical radio dramas. Camille's sister, business-executive Odile (Sabine Azema), is married to weak, furtive Claude (Pierre Arditi). In the past Odile was close to successful businessman Nicolas (Jean-Pierre Bacri), now married with kids and returning to Paris after an eight-year absence. Odile seeks an apartment from real estate agent Marc (Lambert Wilson). Camille and Marc begin an affair. Nicolas is also looking for an apartment, since he hopes to eventually have his family join him in Paris. These characters make easy transitions back and forth from the dialogue to 36 song fragments. The film's debt to Dennis Potter is acknowledged with a dedication in the opening credits. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: Alain Resnais
Written By: Jean-Pierre Bacri, Agnès Jaoui
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 15, 1999 Limited
Studio: Artistic License

Critic Reviews

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
This is a puny benefit for a device that's arbitrary and precious and results in slowing down scenes and conversations for no reason but cuteness.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
By the end of the film you've become more than superficially acquainted with six recognizable and complicated individuals. How many movie musicals can make that claim?
Beth Accomando, KPBS.org
Sublime work from an old but still innovative French New Waver.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Densely plotted and endearingly neurotic.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
Give Resnais credit for trying something different.
Greg Muskewitz, eFilmCritic.com
A multi-layered love story and meditation on the natural human condition, where the characters lip sync to famous French songs, current pop, and older music as well, used as inner-monologues, dialogue and thought.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
A tired tune, conducted by a maestro who appears to be tone-deaf.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
In his middle seventies, Resnais is still going full-tilt.
Arthur Lazere, culturevulture.net
Over the course of its two hours, though, each of the main characters deepens and issues of deception, self-deception, trust, and control in their relationships take on surprising complexity.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
What may have been intended as playful comes off as unbearably leaden and incongruous instead.
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Examiner
The film has its funny moments, but as a satire of the bourgeoisie it's working awfully familiar territory.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
There's not a lot of bite to this satirical musical, but Resnais has never made a bad film...