Populaire Review

Populaire
France, 1958. 21 year-old Rose (François) decides to shake off her dull life and her grouchy dad by heading to Normandy to apply for a job under charismatic insurance boss Louis Echard (Duris). When the interview goes wrong, her typing skills persuade him

by Liz Moody |
Published on
Release Date:

31 May 2013

Running Time:

111 minutes

Certificate:

12A

Original Title:

Populaire

Anchored by Romain Duris on typically engaging form, Régis Roinsard’s debut is beguiling in its refusal to toe the line of rom-com convention. Set in 1950s France, it follows village girl Rose’s (Déborah Francois) attempts to ‘become someone’ via her talent for speed-typing. This she does with the ‘help’ of her boss, Duris’ Louis, who enters her into a regional typing contest. Roinsard keeps control of a film that vacillates between frothy fun and more serious social comment and cleverly uses subplots and supporting characters (including The Artist’s Bérénice Bejo) to touch on weightier themes. Quaint, but charming.

Offers plenty of easy nostalgia and Duris charm.
Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us