Idole instantanée

I had considered writing this review in French as it is a French-language film, but I chose English instead because I think this film should be brought to the attention of a wider audience. (si vous êtes francophone, vous devez le voir. Il n'y a pas d'excuse.) It is, of course, a wonderful tour de force for actress Claudine Mercier who plays the roles of all four finalists in a reality-type talent show, as well as the previous winner. All characters are well drawn and strongly delineated. The pacing and plot structure which moves from one contestant to another in rotation never loses its ability to draw us on while making us care more and more about these women and their situations. Little jokes and asides arise at every turn to keep us chuckling and before we know it, we are facing questions of what it means to be successful, what spectators of these shows are thinking, and what the real reality is behind "reality television." So far, unfortunately, it has been issued on DVD without English subtitles. If you don't speak French, watch it anyway with a French-speaking friend. The acting and cinematography is so good that it will tell you most of the story without translation