REVIEW of film: “COPACABANA” [ = Report # 16 re 46th CIFF ]

2010, 10-01:

Review of film: “COPACABANA”  [ = Report # 16 re 46^th CIFF ]

               REPORT # 16 on the 46^th CHICAGO INT’L FILM FESTIVAL =     

As best I can tell, I was the first Chicago reviewer to view the Festival’s DVD screener of this France / Belgium co-production dramedy:

…  Eliza – calling herself Babou (played by ISABELLE HUPPERT) -- is a FLAKE.  Some may call her way of life “Bohemian”, but whatever you call it, she’s out of the “mainstream”...

...  She has little money, can’t seem to get or keep a decent job (always with “excuses” for things, like why she arrived late to an interview, etc.), and she is always looking to live on the “cheap” as she bounces from one flippant devil-may-care interest to another…

…  Due to Babou’s flighty spur-of-the-moment lifestyle, she’s “schlepped” (moved) her family around a lot, and her daughter Esmeralda (LOLITA CHAMMAH) has reacted very POORLY to that impulsive situation, having a generally antagonistic attitude towards Babou… 

...  Babou simply doesn’t seem to CARE what other people “think” of her, & continues her impulsive ways (such as by concocting an “Indian-theme” dinner with appropriate music, costume, food, etc.)… 

…  At one point, Esme informs her mom that she plans to MARRY her longtime boyfriend Justin (JOACHIM LOMBARD)--  but that the Babou is NOT welcome to come to the event, because “I don’t want you to EMBARRASS me…” 

...  She admits that yes, it’s also because Isabelle is “broke” & can’t come up with any money towards the wedding.  Esme informs her that her fiance’s parents are being told Babou would be “busy” because she’s supposedly visiting “BRAZIL”.  Very hurt, Babou says, “In that case, I’m NOT your MOTHER anymore!”…

…  Babou has an old friend named Patrice (LUIS REGO) who she commiserates with about her life.  He tells her of a job opening he’s heard about re selling TIMESHARES in Ostende, Belgium--  but he couldn’t take the job because you have to LIVE there to do the sales… 

...  Having nothing else feasible to do to earn a living, she works to borrow a car from her leery friend Suzanne (NOÉMIE LVOVSKY) to GO to Ostende to apply for the position…

…  It turns out the timeshares are in a seaside building that’s still being constructed, & she has to share a room with another job applicant, a crusty, unfriendly older lady named Lydie (AURE LATIKA) who has a background in real estate (whereas Babou has NO such experience)… 

...  In time, the applicants learn the job (which has no minimum salary) is really as APPOINTMENT-setters to bring people in for the well-paid sales reps to try to close on sales…

…  Babou gamely tries to do the new-to-her work, but does POORLY at it--  until she meets a friendly middle-aged local man named Bart (JURGEN DELNAET) who gives her helpful “tips” on the best places to go & what to do to try to find prospective clients.  In time, they grow closer romantically… 

…  Babou chances to see a homeless couple squatting across the way from her building &, reminded of her own past life, takes pity on their situation.  She thus invites Kurt (GUILLAUME GOUIX) & Petra (VEERLE DOBBELAERE) & their dog to secretly LIVE in one of the rooms in the timeshare building (which, typically, is against the strict “rules”)…  

…  Unexpectedly, Babou does WELL at lining up people to consider buying timeshares, & her fellow agents start to grow jealous of, & hostile towards, her…  

...  Also surprising is the way Esme works to try to “FIX” things a bit with Babou--  tho she still doesn’t want her to attend the planned wedding, & looks down on the way her mom helps out the homeless people (whom Babou consider to be “fun” to be with)… 

…  Since Babou has a history of “screwing-up” things in her life, will she do that in THIS case?...  Will things move forward with Bart?  Will anything be truly patched-up with daughter Esme?...

...  Will we learn more about WHY the movie refers to a beach in Brazil & what “connection” it will have to the plot by the end of the movie?...  Naturally, you will find answers to ALL those questions in the film…

…  Isabelle really “GRABS-ON” to her “Auntie Mame”-type role in this film, making her character a memorable and JOYFUL experience for the audience.  The others in the cast are also quite effective, & it all adds up to a plot that really “WORKS”, with a finely cheerful conclusion... 

…  It’s very effective in showing the different “types” of people & situations we all meet & deal with on an everyday basis (the slackers, the pushy “A”-type business people, the rare helpful ones, things that keep going wrong in life, etc.)...

...  Thus, it turned into an unexpected PLEASURE as an overall film.  Accordingly, I’m rating it an 8 out of 10 stars…

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