To begin, the title is misleading. Not having an idea as to what the film was about, we took a chance because of the ingredients that went into its making. Let's face it, anything with the divine Isabelle Huppert in it, is worth a look.
Babou, an unemployed mother living in Lille, has seen better days. Now alone and unemployed, she is trying to get work wherever she can get it. Unfortunately, there is limited positions where she qualifies. Babou has a grownup daughter, Esmeralda, is engaged to a local young man, who is the opposite of what her mother is. Esmeralda resents her mother for being absent most of the time, when she needed her most. The contrast between Babou, a free spirited woman and her more responsible daughter is impressive.
After Babou tries unsuccessfully to get a job at a pastry shop, she decides to go to a Belgian seaside city where she enters an apprenticeship in time share selling in a new development. Lydie, the woman in charge of the hopeful applicants is not exactly fond of Babou who stands in sharp contrast with herself. Babou is made to share one of the apartments in the complex with a bitter older woman, who clearly despises everything about her new flatmate.
Babou, who makes friends easily, becomes friendly with a dock worker, Bart, with whom she begins a sexual affair. Because of her attitude toward life, Bart decides not to see her anymore, something that Babou did not really count on. Asking for an advance on her future earnings, Babou wants Esmeralda to come for a visit. Babou made friends with a homeless couple she sees from her window. She invites them to come stay in one of the unoccupied units of the complex.
With her daughter's arrival, Babou decides to take her to dinner and invite the homeless couple and their dog, to a good restaurant. Esmeralda is appalled by the couple and her mother's attitude toward them and flees to go back home. After finally making a go of her job, Babou gets Lydie's recognition. When the two women go for a night where they bond along the promenade in front of the building, Lydie notices a light on an apartment that should have been vacant. Babou owns up it is her fault. Lydie tells her not to worry, but the next day, Babou is let go.
With the severance money, Babou decides to gamble it on the roulette at the local casino. To her amazement, she wins a considerable amount. Her dreams of going to Rio de Janeiro becomes a reality, but before that she wants to surprise her daughter and her future in-laws at Esmeralda's wedding reception, something that no one expected. Babou finally gets an appreciative Esmeralda to recognize how much her mother really loves her.
A surprising comedy written and directed by Marc Fitoussi. It was clearly a vehicle for the star. Most of it is a bit over the top, but Mr. Fitoussi was paying tribute to one of France's best stars of all times, the talented Isabelle Huppert, who is is perfect as the happy go lucky and uncomplicated woman. The film also features Ms. Huppert's own daughter Lolita Chammah, seen as Esmeralda, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Kate Winslet. The resemblance of mother and daughter is also amazing. Others in supporting roles include Aure Atika, Jurgen Delnaet, Chantal Banlier, and others.
"Copacabana" is fun and light. It will delight Ms. Huppert's admirers.
Babou, an unemployed mother living in Lille, has seen better days. Now alone and unemployed, she is trying to get work wherever she can get it. Unfortunately, there is limited positions where she qualifies. Babou has a grownup daughter, Esmeralda, is engaged to a local young man, who is the opposite of what her mother is. Esmeralda resents her mother for being absent most of the time, when she needed her most. The contrast between Babou, a free spirited woman and her more responsible daughter is impressive.
After Babou tries unsuccessfully to get a job at a pastry shop, she decides to go to a Belgian seaside city where she enters an apprenticeship in time share selling in a new development. Lydie, the woman in charge of the hopeful applicants is not exactly fond of Babou who stands in sharp contrast with herself. Babou is made to share one of the apartments in the complex with a bitter older woman, who clearly despises everything about her new flatmate.
Babou, who makes friends easily, becomes friendly with a dock worker, Bart, with whom she begins a sexual affair. Because of her attitude toward life, Bart decides not to see her anymore, something that Babou did not really count on. Asking for an advance on her future earnings, Babou wants Esmeralda to come for a visit. Babou made friends with a homeless couple she sees from her window. She invites them to come stay in one of the unoccupied units of the complex.
With her daughter's arrival, Babou decides to take her to dinner and invite the homeless couple and their dog, to a good restaurant. Esmeralda is appalled by the couple and her mother's attitude toward them and flees to go back home. After finally making a go of her job, Babou gets Lydie's recognition. When the two women go for a night where they bond along the promenade in front of the building, Lydie notices a light on an apartment that should have been vacant. Babou owns up it is her fault. Lydie tells her not to worry, but the next day, Babou is let go.
With the severance money, Babou decides to gamble it on the roulette at the local casino. To her amazement, she wins a considerable amount. Her dreams of going to Rio de Janeiro becomes a reality, but before that she wants to surprise her daughter and her future in-laws at Esmeralda's wedding reception, something that no one expected. Babou finally gets an appreciative Esmeralda to recognize how much her mother really loves her.
A surprising comedy written and directed by Marc Fitoussi. It was clearly a vehicle for the star. Most of it is a bit over the top, but Mr. Fitoussi was paying tribute to one of France's best stars of all times, the talented Isabelle Huppert, who is is perfect as the happy go lucky and uncomplicated woman. The film also features Ms. Huppert's own daughter Lolita Chammah, seen as Esmeralda, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Kate Winslet. The resemblance of mother and daughter is also amazing. Others in supporting roles include Aure Atika, Jurgen Delnaet, Chantal Banlier, and others.
"Copacabana" is fun and light. It will delight Ms. Huppert's admirers.