Ma Vie En Rose poster
Okay, okay... maybe it wasn't the 50th time. But damn, it was good. I never get tired of it. It's like watching a Rodin sculpture, a Picasso painting, or a Debussy piano work. Layer upon layer of study bring that much more study - and satisfaction - to bear.
In a way, the earliest films of this genre really had to be a bit clunky. It really wasn't the director's fault, nor that of the actors. It was more along the fact that thought and art among transgender folks was still in its infancy. There were two factors leading to this state: heavy censorship of the film itself, (the Hays_Code was still in effect) and a paucity of scholarly thought and debate among those who studied film seriously.
With the demise of the Hays Code in 1967, transgender film took its first steps forward, albeit unsteadily. After a time, in the United States in 1996 The Birdcage opened to considerable success, breaking open doors. What most casual moviegoers in the states didn't realize was that The Birdcage was an adaptation of the French play La Cage aux Folles - in 1973! So, as novel as The Birdcage seemed to be, well, it really wasn't. The French, as always, were making serious films long before we Americans thought were possible.
Which brings us to 1997, the year Ma Vie En Rose came to the United States. Once again France has gone miles ahead in film, exploring the then-touchy subject of the young life of Ludovic (Georges Du Fresne), who has come to the realization that she is transgender.
In this consideration, I will focus on Jerome (Julien Riviere). In the opening scene, Jerome complains of the tightness of the bow tie he is 'expected' to wear. His father Albert (Daniel Hanssens) replies, "Mine's tight, too." Like father, like son.
What's hilarious about this is that the Fabres aren't planning a formal dinner; it's a very informal 'welcome to our new home' party. But Albert has his rules, and he expects that they will be obeyed, at least in HIS home.
Then there is the central character, Ludovic (Georges Du Fresne). She is getting ready for the party hosted by her parents. When she is in her room, all of the accoutrements are there to comfort her and steel her for what lies ahead. The room is somewhat dark. But as once she finishes putting on the final details, she descends the staircase and enters the light. The glaring light.
Albert and Jerome are initially confused, thinking that Ludovic is actually Zoe (Cristine Barget), the older sister. Her mother, Hanna (Michele Laroque) exclaims "Ludovic!" - and the crowd of partygoers "know" that Ludovic is the Fabres' "boy". When Hanna hustles Ludovic into the kitchen, one of the earrings falls off. Jerome quietly goes over and picks it up. This is of great totemic significance. Despite the partygoers' "knowledge", Jerome intuitively knows that Ludovic is in fact a girl.
A few days later, the kids are at recess, at school. Ludovic is shown, alone, drawing pictures in the sand. She spots Jerome, and goes to him. A few moments later, Sophie (Morgane Bruna) interrupts, asking Jerome to play. Jerome rebuffs her, and she goes away, but not before throwing a glance at Ludo.
Later on, the children are picked up after school. Elizabeth (Helene Vincent),the Fabres' grandmother, drives up to pick up Ludovic. Ludovic and Jerome exchange waves, and she asks "Is that the boy your father works for?" Ludo: "Yes." (pause) "We're getting married when we grow up." Gulp. Elizabeth is taken aback, but does not refuse Ludovic's idea outright.
A few days later, Hanna and Ludovic are visiting the boss's house While Hanna and Lisette (Laurence Bibot) exchange pleasantries (?) with one another, Jerome is giving Ludovic a tour of the house. After showing what different rooms are for, Ludovic glances, and asks "What's this room?" Jerome answers nervously "My sister... she's gone." (Jerome can't say that the unnamed sister has died) But Ludovic, ever the curious one. goes in anyway. Well, it's definitely a girl's room. When she enters the closet, and picks out a dress she particularly likes, Jerome nervously says "We have to go!" (twice). But Ludovic is determined. The next scene, with the room darkened, candles lit in the aisle, Ludovic and Jerome are standing, facing one another. The stuffed bear is the priest. Yep, they're getting 'married'. They exchange 'vows' and Jerome's kiss is only interrupted by Lisette (Laurence Bibot) fainting when she enters the dead daughter's room.
But how things change. It isn't actually shown, but Albert's overbearing presence on his son can be felt. The next day, Jerome asks if he can change seats. When the teacher (Anne Coesens) asks why, Jerome answers "If not, I'll go to hell." This is definitely a sea change from the first scenes when Jerome and Ludovic blossom into friendship (or more). In a heartrending scene, Ludovic runs out of the school into the soccer netting, crying out to her sister "Tell me I'm not going to hell!"
A few days or weeks go by and the scene is set in the school's student's bathroom, where Jerome and Ludovic are meeting. It also is the place where Jerome is torn between his earliest memories of Ludovic, and his father's unbending will. Ludovic is on the toilet, with Jerome peering under the stall. She asks Jerome if she is seated (she is) and then commences peeing. After she is done, she explains to Jerome, "Now, what you need to understand is that I'm a boy-girl". Because Ludovic is young,this makes perfect sense to her. Jerome ends with "You certainly act like a girl".
As an aside, an unnamed girl interrupts Ludovic and Jerome. This only lasts a few seconds, but considering what we Americans have conniptions about over twenty years later, it's both sad and hilarious that we must have separate toilet facilities, one for boys and one for girls. It's unknown whether this is just a French thing, or if Alain Berliner specifically designed it this way, but it really is funny to those folks on the other side of the pond.
The next scene is at the school stage, where Snow White is being performed. (French: Blanche Neige) The performers are preparing for the last scenario. Just before going on stage, Sophie (who is playing the lead role) has to go to the bathroom. Uh... Ludovic has an idea. Ten minutes later, the teacher is frantic. She finally comes out, and the teacher rushes her to her place. The curtain rises, and the Prince (played by Jerome) gets off his horse and goes to kiss Snow White. Only problem is, Snow White is no longer played by Sophie, she's played by Ludovic. Ludovic is revealed when Snow White's veil is accidentally torn off by the teacher's foot. Monique (Caroline Baehr), Sophie's mom, cries out "Sophie? Where's Sophie?" Uh, surprise. Ludovic locked Sophie in the bathroom with a chair.
A few scenes later, after a soccer match, the team goes into the locker room to change. Ludovic goes away from the rest of the team, but they gang up on her. Jerome is particularly cruel, abandoning her. The leader of the gang says, "Do you want us to rip it off, so you can be a real girl?" Even her own brothers Thom and Jean (Gregory Diallo and Erik Cazals De Fabel) do nothing to help her. For Ludovic, this is absolutely the last straw. Shortly thereafter, she unsuccessfully attempts suicide.
After she is rescued by her mother, Pierre, her father (Jean-Philippe Ecoffey) offers her anything she wants. Ludovic replies that she wants to go to Sophie's birthday party in a skirt. Despite initial protestations, they (very nervously) go down the hill to Sophie's house. Ludovic smiles coquettishly, but Jerome will have none of that. He just stares back. After the Fabre parents explain why they're doing this, things calm down (a bit). Ludovic, Jerome and Sophie are smiling, laughing, and playing, if only for a moment.
The moment quickly vanishes. The next day, Pierre loses his job. He enters the home, very drunk. He tells them what happened, and Hanna is frantic. She shouts at Ludo "Yes, it's your fault. Everything's your fault." Her whole world is falling apart. Pierre tries to assuage Ludo, but she is downcast.
Pierre finally finds another job, but it's in Clermont-Ferrand, a good distance away. Ludovic wants to go to Elizabeth's house, faking a stomachache. She has nightmares, but Elizabeth comforts her, finally getting some restful sleep. By morning she realizes she belongs with her parents, no matter she loves Elizabeth. This leads up to the final scene with Jerome. As the Fabres' car speeds up for the trip to their new home, he looks at Ludovic, filled with anger. We can imagine him thinking "You ruined my 'fairytale existence.' "
Of course, this 'fairytale existence' is nothing but Jerome's fevered imagination. But, oh, he had 'help'. Albert is only too helpful in poisoning his young son's mind. In an earlier scene, Albert almost comes to blows with his neighbor Thierry (Jean-Francois Galotte) (also Sophie's father). In a telling scene, Albert exclaims "Listen closely. There are no fruits in my house. Understand?" (emphasis mine)
Well. Let's imagine that Jerome is indeed a 'fruit'. No ,the sky did not fall down. Albert should be a good father, not a warped tyrant. Jerome will (hopefully) grow up, and sort some things out, regardless what his father force-feeds him. But we can only imagine.
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