Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life
2010 · Movie · 130 min · ★ 6.9 · 66% critics
This biographical drama follows a French singer and songwriter from a childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris to fame in the 1960s and beyond. As success grows, so do excess, complicated romances, and an inner voice that pushes him toward living without limits.
Where to watch
Streaming on Fandor.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Original title
- Gainsbourg (vie héroïque)
- Years
- 2010
- Release date
- 2010-01-20
- Language
- French
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Critic score
- 66/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.9/10 (355 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a stylized, adult biopic about fame, desire, and self-destruction, in the vein of La Vie en Rose; Not for you if you prefer restrained stories or minimal sexual content.
Pros: vivid, eccentric atmosphere; charismatic lead performance; engaging life-spanning story | Cons: heavy on excess; relationships feel repetitive; surreal touches may divide
Themes
- beach
- jazz
- composer
- parent child relationship
- pop star
- seduction
- musical
- biography
- singer
- profile
- alcohol abuse
- songwriter
Awards & recognition
- César Award — Best First Film
Cast & crew
Éric Elmosnino
as Serge Gainsbourg
Lucy Gordon
as Jane Birkin
Laetitia Casta
as Brigitte Bardot
Doug Jones
as La gueule
Anna Mouglalis
as Juliette Greco
Mylène Jampanoï
as Bambou
Sara Forestier
as France Gall
Kacey Mottet Klein
as Lucien Ginsburg
Răzvan Vasilescu
as Joseph Gainsburg (le père)
Dinara Drukarova
as Olga Gainsburg (la mère)
Directed by Joann Sfar