User Reviews

Following in the footsteps of the Academy Award-winning 'The Artist', 'Populaire' pays loving tribute to the motion pictures from a bygone era. Whereas it was the silent movies of the 1920s in the case of the former, the latter sets its sights on the crowd-pleasing Hollywood comedies of the 1950s and 60s, a fact clearly evident right from its animated opening credits which look like something straight out of a Billy Wilder movie.

Then, movies were much simpler and sweeter, and indeed one should similarly expect the same of 'Populaire'. A classic rom-com that pits the slightly naïve 21-year-old village girl Rose Pamphyle (Deborah Francois) with her dapper city boss Louis (Romain Duris) to whom she is secretary to, it follows a pretty straightforward trajectory built around the world of competitive speed typing, so if you're looking for any surprises in the storytelling, then you're likely to be disappointed.

But what it lacks in novelty, it certainly makes for up in dollops of charm, so much so that we're willing to guarantee that you'll find much truth in its hyperbolic marketing tagline that proclaims it "the most enchanting romantic comedy since Amelie". There is something magical about the fit between actor and character here, a truly entrancing quality about how Francois plays Rose sweet, shy and klutzy and how Duris cuts a suave, dashing and debonair figure in Louis.

Just as, if not more, importantly, is how Rose and Louis make an exceedingly appealing couple, be it in their prickly initial encounters or their subsequent intimate engagements. Francois and Duris share zingy chemistry in their scenes together, the lively manner in which they trade barbs and words of affection bound to keep a smile on your face. Their spirited repartee is also thanks to a witty and engaging script, which pays close and sharp attention to the evolving dynamic between its characters.

Just as well-observed is the sport of competitive speed-typing, which plays a central role in the evolving relationship between Rose and Louis. Rather than give up on the otherwise dreamy and absent-minded Rose, Louis recognises her single uncanny gift of typing very quickly, prompting him to propose an unusual arrangement in which he trains her for competitions in exchange for keeping her job as his secretary. Needless to say, she improves swiftly under his tutelage, progressing from regionals to nationals and finally to internationals, the title of the film a reference to her newfound popularity as well as the name of the typewriter she does a celebrity endorsement for.

We know – you're thinking how a bunch of mostly middle-aged women in thick-rimmed glasses hammering away at ancient typewriters can be anything exciting. Well, that's where you are absolutely wrong. There is pure thrill to be had in each one of these competitions, the combined effect of whirling dolly shots and some sharp editing combining to inject much excitement into the repetition of pounding keystrokes and slamming carriages. Never for once failing to amaze with the intensity and concentration required of participants in such competitions, it suitably jazzes up what one would assume a sedate activity, let alone a sport.

The staging of these contests is but one illustration of how impressive the mise-en-scene of the movie, which is even more amazing for the fact that this is also director Regis Roinsard's feature filmmaking debut. Roinsard, who also co-wrote the script with Daniel Presley and Romain Compingt, combines detailed set and costume design by Sylvie Olive and Charlotte David with a classy score by Rob and Emmanuel d'Orlando and classic French oldies from the likes of Jacqueline Boyer, Jack Ary and Les Chausettes Noires, the effect of all these various elements making for a remarkably rich and authentic period portrait.

Especially as modern-day films revel in greater shades of grey, it is refreshing to see a movie whose pleasures are so elemental and yet deeply enjoyable. "Populaire" harks back to the days of the Doris Day rom-coms – even as it also pays homage to other classic films of the same era, most notably Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo" – offering a delightfully buoyant time brimming with wit, humour and passion. Excuse the pun – if you're looking for a movie to lift your spirits, this one strikes all the right keys.

This film is about a woman who is a bad secretary, but a super fast typist. Her boss employs her just to enter typing competitions.

"Populaire" tells a story of a girl who is shot down by almost everyone in her life. She treasures her job as a secretary, but she is just not up to it. Her boss trains her intensely for the typing competitions. Along her way to glory, she encounters supportive acquaintances and a complicated love affair. The story is very engaging, and the music during typing competitions are very pleasing to hear as well. Rose is a sweet and hardworking girl, she is a lovable character that connects with the viewers. To see Rose getting all the attention she deserves, and even more, is very satisfying, the ending is so poignant that will surely captivate anyone. Who would have thought, that a film about a machine that is irrelevant in today's society would be so intensely engaging?

This is a French romantic comedy, I enjoyed watching it but it also has some problems. The good parts: The best part about the movie is the nice set design and the costumes. It's great to see a movie that is not set in a contemporary US city like most other comedy movies. I liked the female lead actor.

What I didn't like: The two actors don't seem to have real chemistry. Both main leads are supposed to have certain features. She is supposed to be a klutz, he is supposed to appear a bit mean but should be a good man on the inside. This characteristics are used to explain why they act the way they do. Unfortunately the director spends about one and a half minute on these characteristics and that's it.

The last time I went to the movies was for Avatar but walking through yet another snowstorm in Montréal I decided I was up for a light and colourful movie, and didn't care much what the story was about. So Populaire was a pleasant surprise as the premise is fresh and interesting. It's the story of a young and pretty typist so fast on her typewriter that her boss challenges her to win a few typing competitions. So it's like every sports film with the bonus of a love story. The third act is a bit unnecessary and repetitive but the movie is quite adept at walking the fine line between stylish and kitsch. Plus, in it's subtle way, Populaire shows us what it was probably like to be a working girl in the late fifties. The movie works best when focusing on the relationship between the two leads. They are quite charming ( if I were a girl I would sure paint my nails the way she does !). Better than the poor box-office in France led me to believe.

Déborah François as the heroin, Rose Pamphyle, looked very cute and fashionable. That's all, but it's enough for me to see this movie for a change. I am guessing that Régis Roinsard, the director of this movie, just wanted to make Déborah look as cute and fashionable as possible in this movie, and he was successful.

Although this movie has many shortcomings that audience can point out, it doesn't matter at all. For example, the plot of this movie is quite stereotyped, but it is better to make audience concentrated in the heroin Déborah.

I love Kabuki, whose plots are usually dubious. The audience of Kabuki mainly wants to be fascinated with the beauty of Kabuki actors, and a deep plot would disturb the entertainment of Kabuki.

Of course, Déborah François herself is very attractive. She shows a variety of expressions, smile, anger, tears, envy, and love, and all of them are charming.

If you thought that she was cute in the trailer, it would be worth seeing this movie.

Populaire (2012)

A French comedy, set in the late 1950s, and centering around a typing championship? Yes, bizarre, and warm and funny. I liked it a lot.

The star here is the completely delightful Deborah Francois, who is cast and who acts a bit like an Audrey Hepburn type, which is a total compliment. Not that Francois needs that kind of comparison—she takes on the task of learning to type with enormous focus and humble prowess. With two fingers. And she almost wins a competition that way.

Enter the other star, a bigger name in France, Romain Duris. He's a comic oddball, meant to be very handsome but not a hunk (sorry Romain). He depends on his wry, underplayed humor to win the hearts of the females in each movie—and in the audience. He takes on Francois with the idea of teaching her to use all her fingers and maybe, with some serious athletic training, compete for the big time. At typing.

It's a farce, but overflowing with charm. The sets and colors are wonderful per- 60s "gay" and light. French style. There is an ongoing critique built in (in a watery way) about how women in that era have typing as their ultimate goal. And typing for men. The irony (and falseness) are apparent.

There is inevitably a troubled romance that gets stirred in the mix—and it's a classic mismatch made in heaven.

In all, well done, funny, and smart. And styling right to the end with the big finale—well, I can't say where or why. See it.

My daughter recently saw this film at a festival in Philadelphia and insisted I should see it as well. Fortunately, it's now streaming on Netflix and I got a chance to see it myself today.

The subject matter for this film is incredibly mundane--so mundane and dull that it's a wonder that the film would hold your interest. However, it managed very well. Who would have thought a film about a woman training to be a speed-typing world champion could be so much fun? Plus, while I am not sure about this, I assume there never has been any sort of international speed-typing competition and I KNOW if there had been one, they wouldn't have been celebrities like the folks in this film. However, I kind of liked this, as it was a bit silly and added to the kooky charm of the film.

The movie begins with Rose (Déborah François) leaving her small town and going to the city to get a job as a secretary. However, despite being able to type remarkably fast using the hunt and peck method, she isn't a very good secretary. However, her grouchy boss, Louis (Romain Duris) hires her anyway, as he's VERY impressed by her typing. However, it's soon obvious he's not that interested in her being a secretary and much more interested in training her to be a speed-typing champion. He moves her into his home, cooks for her and coaches her unmercifully--all to make her a champion. However, despite Rose winning competition after competition, Louis never acts happy--and keeps driving her. Rose is adorable and sweet, and yet Louis is almost machine-like in his detachment. What's next? See this strange and quirky film.

The best thing about the film is its design. I love the late 1950s look and unlike some period films, this one tried very, very hard to get the look right. I also loved Rose as a characters. But the film also had problems. Despite liking it very much, Louis' character is too unlikable--and her falling for him (like Liza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady") made no sense. Sure, he's handsome but he's also incredibly selfish and under-emotive. Additionally, the film is pure formula throughout--the only difference are all the nice trappings and nice way the director handled the familiar themes. Overall, a great date movie and a nice rom-com that isn't too demanding. I would like to give the film a 7.5, though IMDb won't allow that. I enjoyed it a lot even with its clichés (such as how Rose's father behaves late in the film).

By the way, I looked it up and there really was a Japy typewriter company in France--it was not created for the film.

The first world typewriting championship held in Chicago in 1906 and has been won by Rose L. Fritz. It still exists since that time.

International speed-typing competition is a long tradition. It is very pleasant to KNOW that a movie pays tribute to it now.

If it weren't for the very specific year during which the action in this movie is set, the perfect music for this would have been 10cc's 'I'm Not in Love' - Of course Louis is in love, and only he doesn't realise it. You can forgive him, after all, this is post second world war and he has lost too many meaningful people to want to risk another loss. Rose has perfect visceral understanding of the feelings of those around her. She's also a super-fast one finger typist. We 21st century equivalents may have super-fast thumbs instead. The period feel, superb costumes and believable dialogue make this a very satisfying production. Not sure about the brief bedroom scene that doesn't belong here. Fancy a good, uplifting entertainment, choose this!

The strength of Populaire lies in the atmosphere of the period and the accurate depiction (at least it seems to be) of France in the late 50's.

On the content, it is less enthusiastic. The movie is quite uneven, alternating between good, dynamic passages, and a lot more heavy ones weighing down the rhythm. The plot is, in the end, relatively conventional, predictable and struggles rather quickly, so much that one starts to switch off after barely the hour mark. The last 30 minutes are particularly laborious and give the impression that Roinsard didn't know where to go nor how to end his story.

One could have also appreciated stronger and more developed supporting characters because the Duris-François duo, though effective and complementary, is a bit alone.

Populaire is the shiny pearl type of movie. Simple enough to be worn regularly and noticeable enough to be more than a touch of color. The typical 50's pastel and soft colors are everywhere in the movie, except when the tone of the story turns less glamour and kitsch to become more intimate. Then the colors turn brighter, sharper and more intense... following the scene moods.

I had no idea about what kind of movie my friends dragged me to but I have to recognize this was a very pleasant surprise. The lead actors (Deborah François and Romain Duris) are carrying the whole movie and it turned way more thrilling that I could expect at first from a type machine competition movie.

There is some sense of Pygmalion and My Fair Lady where love is in the air even though it wasn't the initial purpose. When a young, pretty and innocent girl is coached by her boss, she turns into an accomplished and genuine beautiful Lady.

If you're planning a nice movie sessionflick with your soulmate, without complicated plot or senseless violence and you want to ensure you'll finish smiling at the end, go for Populaire, worths it !!!

It might feel simple in its premise (what romantic comedy doesn't? Only a few might have a real complex story), but the actors are really good in it. Actually it is very reminiscent of classic movies and its not a coincidence that the costumes and or haircuts are very much in the style of Audrey Hepburn. It could have starred the actress from the past easily and feel the same.

So while the viewer might know where this movie is leading (no real surprise here), it is the journey that makes it worthwhile. Rich, poor it doesn't really matter, as long as you follow your dreams. Whatever they are and whatever obstacles are in your way.

A very sugary fairy-tail esque romantic comedy with plenty of style and flavour. The male lead seems to have the issues, unlike the female lead, which was a nice reversal.

It's nothing too overly dramatic and stupid like most romantic comedies sercombe to in their third acts. Perhaps because of the "sports movie" element to it.

Overall it's very sweet. You'll love Déborah François in the lead role, along with Romain Duris as a man who makes very odd facial expressions. The cinematography is very beautiful and lush. Highly recommended for anyone.

I can only imagine this was the kind of movie that inspired the "French New Wave" movement decades ago. Not because of it's brilliance mind you, but rather the opposite. A visually stunning studio film that does nothing but stick to generic conventions while giving the audience nothing new.

A cute but vapid story with nothing more clever than what is at the surface. A good romantic comedy says more with out being so obvious. If you like romantic comedies this is no Brigitte Jones, Amelie, Silver linings Playbook, or When Harry Met Sally, this isn't even "You've got Mail."

I wouldn't waste my time, because I want mine back.

My total score is a 5. I gave this a +5 for being well made, and a -5 for the lack of originality and terrible level predictability.

Found this on Netflix. I needed a feel good movie and this movie was perfect.

Set in the 1950 Romain Duris plays Louis Echard an insurance agent in need of a secretary. What he finds is a beautiful but clumsy girl whose saving grace is her fast typing with 2 fingers.

As the movie unfolds it just grabs holds and takes you on the journey to the World Championships in Speed Typing.

I became an instant fan of Romain and want to play catch up on his movies. I hope he finds a Hollywood script that allows him to shine.

Romain Duris reminds of Cary Grant, handsome, funny, charming and incredibly talented.

It's been a while since I wrote a review, but when I saw the low rating for this wonderful movie, I simply had to chime in! This film became an instant favorite of mine because it has all the right elements of a good romantic comedy. Not like the rubbish we Americans make today, but like we used to make when Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant were around. In fact, the lead actress, Déborah François, bears a striking resemblance to Joanne Woodward, Paul Newman's wife, herself a wonderful actress in her own right, as well as Audrey Hepburn. That may be by design, but she fascinates me! The resemblance was the first thing that struck me. The second was the ambiance of the film. The actors seem perfectly cast, and it was easy to believe that they were in fact, set in the 1950s.

Without giving away the admittedly simple, yet highly effective story, I found myself guffawing at unexpected moments. Déborah François has great comedic timing, and Romain Duris as her leading man, wisely lets her take the lead.

Were it not for a single love scene, I would say that this would have made an excellent family movie. Still, for those 18 and older, it's a wonderful film with a great soundtrack, and oddly enough, includes a character (played by Shaun Benson) who reminded me a lot of Gene Kelly.

Enjoy!

This retro '50s comedy is hilarious, charming and a true throwback. They smoke themselves to death (well, ok, the French still do that!); the women are, of course, relegated to lesser roles; there is a certain prudishness about sex, and the thought of an unmarried woman cohabiting with a man causes a bit of a scandal. This is not your modern French film, in other words. Somehow, they make a typing contest exciting. It all works--even if Doris Day would feel at home here (well, except for that slight flash of nipple and the later glimpse of a sex scene).

It also adds a layer of insight and gravity that elevates it a bit when the male lead finally confronts his childhood girlfriend. Overall, this works great. Now, finish this and run over and watch "Shall We Kiss?," another great French rom-com.