The search for fame, attention, understanding and approval is the central preoccupation of the aptly titled "Look at Me." (This is one case where the translated title seems better than the originalit's certainly less pretentious.) It's a comedy-drama whose four main characters are Etienne (Jean-Pierre Bacri), a famous and egotistical novelist; Lolita (Marilou Berry), his pudgy, ignored daughter who has discovered a talent for singing; Sylvia (Agnès Jaoui), her voice teacher; and Pierre (Laurent Gréville), Sylvia's husband, an up-and-coming novelist. The story uses the time-honored tactic of introducing the characters as they go about their lives in a busy city (in this case, Paris) then ratcheting up the tension by sending them all to an isolated country house, where they have more opportunities to irritate and influence each other.
On a scene-by-scene basis, "Look at Me" works well enoughthe dialogue is sharp and the acting, especially from Berry and Jaoui, is very good. I also liked how it has a subtly feminist theme by the end. But as a whole, the movie is too diffuse, with several characters that remain underdeveloped. It tries to set up two parallel storiesthe ways that both Lolita and Pierre try to get Etienne's attentionbut the trouble is that Lolita's quest is the more engaging one. The movie also stacks the deck against Lolita, with Etienne behaving more callously toward her than is sometimes believable. (He's like a less complex version of the selfish writer/dad from "The Squid and the Whale.")
"Look at Me" could have been much better with a more focused script and stronger ending, but there is also a good deal of wit, insight, and beautiful music to be found along the way.
On a scene-by-scene basis, "Look at Me" works well enoughthe dialogue is sharp and the acting, especially from Berry and Jaoui, is very good. I also liked how it has a subtly feminist theme by the end. But as a whole, the movie is too diffuse, with several characters that remain underdeveloped. It tries to set up two parallel storiesthe ways that both Lolita and Pierre try to get Etienne's attentionbut the trouble is that Lolita's quest is the more engaging one. The movie also stacks the deck against Lolita, with Etienne behaving more callously toward her than is sometimes believable. (He's like a less complex version of the selfish writer/dad from "The Squid and the Whale.")
"Look at Me" could have been much better with a more focused script and stronger ending, but there is also a good deal of wit, insight, and beautiful music to be found along the way.