''Same Old Song'' () is a 1997 French

comedy-drama film Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, illness, betrayal, grief, etc. ...

. It was directed by

Alain Resnais Alain Resnais (; 3 June 19221 March 2014) was a French film director and screenwriter whose career extended over more than six decades. After training as a film editor in the mid-1940s, he went on to direct short films including '' Night and Fog ...

, and written by

Agnès Jaoui Agnès Jaoui (; born 19 October 1964) is a French actress, screenwriter, film director and singer. Jaoui has won six César Awards, three Lumière Awards, and a Best Screenplay Award at the Cannes Film Festival. She has received numerous other ...

and

Jean-Pierre Bacri Jean-Pierre Bacri (24 May 1951 – 18 January 2021) was a French actor and screenwriter. He frequently worked in collaboration with Agnès Jaoui. Life and career One of Bacri's earliest film appearances was '' Subway''. He co-wrote with Jaou ...

. Jaoui and Bacri also starred in the film with

Sabine Azéma Sabine Azéma (born 20 September 1949) is a French stage and film actress and director. Born in Paris, she graduated from the Paris Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. Career Her film career began in 1975. Azéma appeared in '' A Sunday in the C ...

Lambert Wilson Lambert Nicolas Wilson (; né Willson, 3 August 1958) is a French actor and theatre director. He is a seven-time Cesar Award nominee, four for César Award for Best Actor, Best Actor and three for César Award for Best Supporting Actor, Best Sup ...

André Dussollier André Dussollier (born 17 February 1946) is a French actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the ...

and

Pierre Arditi Pierre Arditi (born 1 December 1944) is a French actor, whose career in film, stage, and television has spanned six decades. He is known for his collaboration with director Alain Resnais in nine films, including '' Mélo'' (1986) and '' Smoking ...

Plot

Odile (Azéma), a business executive, is married to weak, furtive Claude (Arditi). In the past Odile was close to successful businessman Nicolas (Bacri), now married with kids and returning to Paris after an eight-year absence. She is looking for a new, bigger apartment from estate agent Marc (Wilson). Her younger sister Camille (Jaoui), has just completed her doctoral thesis in history and is a Paris tour guide. Simon (Dussollier) is a regular on Camille's tours because he's attracted to her, although he claims to be researching his historical radio dramas. Camille has fallen for Marc, and they begin an affair. Nicolas is also looking for an apartment, since he hopes to eventually have his family join him in Paris. The most original feature of this "musical" is that characters break into songs as sung by the original artists, i.e. depending on the circumstances, a female character may all of a sudden start singing in a male voice and vice versa. The judicious choice of songs and variety of styles make for some very funny surprises, considering the complete and voluntary absence of transitions between the talking and singing. The film's debt to

Dennis Potter Dennis Christopher George Potter (17 May 1935 – 7 June 1994) was an English television dramatist, screenwriter and journalist. He is best known for his BBC television serials '' Pennies from Heaven'' (1978) and '' The Singing Detective'' ...

is acknowledged with a dedication in the opening credits.

Cast

as Claude Lalande *

as Odile Lalande, Claude's wife *

as Nicolas *

as Simon *

as Camille, Odile's younger sister *

as Marc Duveyrier, Simon's boss *

Jane Birkin Jane Mallory Birkin ( ; 14 December 1946 – 16 July 2023) was a British and French actress, singer, and designer. She had a prolific career as an actress, mostly in French cinema. A native of London, Birkin began her career as an actress, ...

as Jane, the wife of Nicolas *

Françoise Bertin Françoise Bertin (23 September 1925 – 26 October 2014) was a French actress. She appeared in over 125 films since 1961. Among these were five films directed by Alain Resnais: '' Last Year at Marienbad'', '' Muriel'', '' The War Is Over'', ...

as Little Lady on Tour *

Jean-Paul Roussillon Jean-Paul Roussillon (5 March 1931 – 31 July 2009) was a French actor. He appeared in more than 80 films and television shows between 1954 and 2008. He starred in the film '' Playing 'In the Company of Men, which was screened in the Un ...

as the father of Odile and Camille *

Jean-Pierre Darroussin Jean-Pierre Darroussin (born 4 December 1953) is a French actor and filmmaker. He was born in Courbevoie, France. Theater Filmography Actor *1992: '' Riens du tout'' (directed by Cédric Klapisch starring Fabrice Luchini, Daniel Berlioux ...

as the man with the cheque *

Claire Nadeau Claire Nadeau (; born 1 June 1945) is a French actress. Theater Filmography References External links * {{DEFAULTSORT:Nadeau, Claire French film actresses 20th-century French actresses 21st-century French actresses Actresses from ...

and

Frédérique Cantrel Frédérique Cantrel is a French television, film, stage and voice actress An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditiona ...

as Female Guest

Songs

Josephine Baker Freda Josephine Baker (; June 3, 1906 – April 12, 1975), naturalized as Joséphine Baker, was an American and French dancer, singer, and actress. Her career was centered primarily in Europe, mostly in France. She was the first Black woman to s ...

: ''J'ai deux amours'' *

Dalida Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti (; 17 January 1933 – 3 May 1987), professionally known as Dalida (, ; ), was an Italian naturalized French singer and actress. Leading an international career, Dalida has sold over 140 million records worldwide. Some ...

and

Alain Delon Alain Fabien Maurice Marcel Delon (; 8 November 1935 – 18 August 2024) was a French actor, film producer, screenwriter, singer, and businessman. Acknowledged as a cultural and cinematic leading man of the 20th century, Delon emerged as one of ...

: ''

Paroles, paroles "Paroles, paroles" (; "Words, words"), also given as "Paroles... Paroles...", is a song by French singer Dalida featuring French actor Alain Delon, with music by Gianni Ferrio and lyrics by , released on 17 January 1973 as the lead single from D ...

'' *

Charles Aznavour Charles Aznavour ( ; ; ; born Shahnur Vaghinak Aznavourian; 22 May 1924 – 1 October 2018) was a Armenians in France, French singer and songwriter of Armenian descent. Aznavour was known for his distinctive vibrato tenor voice: clear and ringi ...

: ''Et moi dans mon coin'' *

René Koval René (''born again'' or ''reborn'' in French) is a common first name in French-speaking, Spanish-speaking, and German-speaking countries. It derives from the Latin name Renatus. René is the masculine form of the name (Renée being the feminine ...

: ''C'est dégoutant mais nécessaire'' *

Simone Simon Simone Thérèse Fernande Simon (23 April 1910 or 1911 – 22 February 2005) was a French film actress who began her film career in 1931. She is perhaps best remembered for her role in the American horror film ''Cat People (1942 film), Cat Peop ...

: ''Afin de plaire à son papa'' *

Gaston Ouvrard Gaston is a masculine given name of French origin and a surname. The name "Gaston" may refer to: People First name *Gaston I, Count of Foix (1287–1315) * Gaston II, Count of Foix (1308–1343) *Gaston III, Count of Foix (1331–1391) *Gaston ...

: ''Je n'suis pas bien portant'' *

Albert Préjean Albert Préjean (; 27 October 1894 – 1 November 1979) was a French actor, primarily in film. He served in World War I, and was decorated with the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honour. With Lysiane Rey, he was the father of Patr ...

: ''Je m'donne'' *

Jacques Dutronc Jacques Dutronc (; born 28 April 1943) is a French singer, songwriter, guitarist, composer, and actor. Some of Dutronc's best-known hits include " Il est cinq heures, Paris s'éveille" (which AllMusic has called "his finest hour"), "Le Responsa ...

: ''J'aime les filles'' *

Michel Sardou Michel Charles Sardou (; born 26 January 1947) is a French singer and occasional actor. He is known not only for his love songs ("La maladie d'amour", "Je vais t'aimer"), but also for songs dealing with various social and political issues, su ...

: ''Déjà vu'' *

Gilbert Bécaud François Gilbert Léopold Silly (24 October 1927 – 18 December 2001), known professionally as Gilbert Bécaud (), was a French singer, composer, pianist and actor, known as "Monsieur 100,000 Volts" for his energetic performances. His best-know ...

: ''

Nathalie Nathalie is a female given name. It is a variant of the name Natalie/ Natalia which is found in many languages, and is especially common in French and English-speaking countries. Notable people with the name include: * Nathalie (born 1979), Ital ...

'' *

Maurice Chevalier Maurice Auguste Chevalier (; 12 September 1888 – 1 January 1972) was a French singer, actor, and entertainer. He is best known for his signature songs, including " Livin' In The Sunlight", " Valentine", " Louise", " Mimi", and " Thank Heaven f ...

: ''Dans la vie faut pas s'en faire'' *

Arletty Léonie Marie Julie Bathiat (15 May 1898 – 23 July 1992), known professionally as Arletty, was a French actress, singer, and fashion model. As an actress she is particularly known for classics directed by Marcel Carné, including '' Hotel du ...

and Aquistapace : ''Et le reste'' *

Édith Piaf Édith Giovanna Gassion (19 December 1915 – 10 October 1963), known as Édith Piaf (), was a French singer and lyricist best known for performing songs in the cabaret and modern chanson genres. She is widely regarded as France's greatest popu ...

: ''J'm'en fous pas mal'' *

Alain Bashung Alain Bashung (born Alain Claude Baschung, ; 1 December 1947 – 14 March 2009) was a French singer, songwriter and actor. Credited with reviving the French chanson in "a time of French musical turmoil", he is often regarded as the most importan ...

: ''Vertige de l'amour'' * Sheila : ''

L'école est finie "L'école est finie" (English translation: "School is out") is a song by French singer Sheila. She released it in 1962, at the age of 16. Written, published and produced by young , the song sold over 1 million copies and effectively kick-started h ...

'' *

Serge Lama Serge Lama (born Serge Claude Bernard Chauvier on 11 February 1943 in Bordeaux) is a French singer and songwriter. His most famous song is ''Je suis malade (song), Je suis malade'', written with Alice Dona. It has been written for Dalida and la ...

: '' Je suis malade'' *

Léo Ferré Léo Ferré (; 24 August 1916 – 14 July 1993) was a Monégasque poet and composer, and a dynamic and controversial live performer. He released some forty albums over this period, composing the music and the majority of the lyrics. He released ...

: ''Avec le temps'' * Henri Garat : ''Avoir un bon copain'' *

: ''Quoi'' *

France Gall Isabelle Geneviève Marie Anne Gall (9 October 1947 – 7 January 2018), known professionally as France Gall, was a French ''yé-yé'' singer. In 1965, at the age of 17, she won the Eurovision Song Contest 1965, tenth edition of the Eurov ...

: '' Résiste'' *

: ''Amusez-vous'' * Henri Garat : ''La tête qu'il faut faire'' *

Alain Souchon Alain Souchon (; born Alain Édouard Kienast ; 27 May 1944) is a French singer-songwriter and actor. He has released 15 albums and has played roles in seven films. Profile Alain Souchon was born in Casablanca, Morocco. His family on his moth ...

: ''Sous les jupes des filles'' *

Eddy Mitchell Claude Moine (; born 3 July 1942), known professionally as Eddy Mitchell, is a French singer and actor. He began his career in the late 1950s, with the group Les Chaussettes Noires (The Black Socks). He took the name ''Eddy'' from the American ...

: ''La dernière séance'' *

Sylvie Vartan Sylvie Vartan (; born Sylvie Georges Vartanian on 15 August 1944) is a Bulgarians in France, Bulgarian-French singer and actress. She is known as one of the most productive and tough-sounding yé-yé artists. Her performances often featured ela ...

: '' La plus belle pour aller danser'' *

Serge Gainsbourg Serge Gainsbourg (; born Lucien Ginsburg; 2 April 1928 – 2 March 1991) was a French singer-songwriter, actor, composer, and director. Regarded as one of the most important figures in French pop, he was renowned for often provocative rel ...

: ''Je suis venu te dire que je m'en vais'' *

: ''Je vous dérange'' *

Téléphone Téléphone () was a French rock band formed in 1976. Their first, self-titled album was released in 1977; by the end of the decade they were one of the biggest French rock bands in the world, opening shows for The Rolling Stones in Paris, Queb ...

: ''Ça c'est vraiment toi'' *

Dranem Dranem (23 May 1869 – 13 October 1935) was a French comic singer, music hall, stage and film actor. History Born Armand Ménard, in Paris, he began working as an apprentice jeweler in a local shop before embarking on a career in entertainment ...

: ''Quand on perd la tête'' *

Johnny Hallyday Jean-Philippe Léo Smet (; 15 June 1943 – 5 December 2017), better known by his stage name Johnny Hallyday, was a French rock and roll and Pop music, pop singer and actor, credited with having brought rock and roll to France. During a career ...

: ''Ma gueule'' *

Pierre Perret Pierre Perret (born 9 July 1934 in Castelsarrasin, Tarn-et-Garonne) is a French singer and composer. He lives in Nangis, France. Biography Perret spent much of his childhood in a café which his parents owned, where he learned to use jargon ...

: ''Mon p'tit loup'' *

Claude François Claude Antoine Marie François (; 1 February 1939 – 11 March 1978), also known by the nickname Cloclo, was a French pop singer, composer, songwriter, record producer, drummer and dancer. François co-wrote the lyrics of " Comme d'habitude" ( ...

: ''Le mal-aimé'' *

Michel Jonasz Michel Jonasz (born 21 January 1947 in Drancy, France) is a French composer-songwriter, singer and actor. His compositions include: ''La boîte de jazz'', ''Joueurs de blues'' and ''Les vacances au bord de la mer''. Born of Hungarian immigra ...

: ''J'veux pas qu'tu t'en ailles'' *

Julien Clerc Paul-Alain Auguste Leclerc (born 4 October 1947), better known by his stage name Julien Clerc (), is a French singer-songwriter. He rose to fame with his song "La cavalerie" (1968), that captured the "rebellious essence" of those times and becam ...

: ''

Ce n'est rien "Ce n'est rien" is a song by French singer-songwriter Julien Clerc. It was released as the first single from his 1971 album ''Niagara''. The song is composed by Julien Clerc himself, the lyrics are by Étienne Roda-Gil Étienne Roda-Gil (1 Augu ...

'' *

: ''Chanson populaire'' *

: ''Blues du blanc''

Production

Filming began on 6 January 1997.

Accolades

The film won the

César Award for Best Film The winners and nominees of the César Award for Best Film ( French: ). Winners and nominees 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s See also * Lumière Award for Best Film * Louis Delluc Prize for Best Film * French Syndicate of Cinema ...

, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay or Adaptation, Best Editing and

Best Sound The following is a list of categories of awards commonly awarded through organizations that bestow film awards, including those presented by various films, festivals, and people's awards. Best Actor/Best Actress *See Best Actor#Film awards, Bes ...

in 1998. It won the

Louis Delluc Prize The Louis Delluc Prize ( ) is a French film award presented annually since 1937. The award is bestowed to the Best Film and Best First Film of the year on the second week of each December. The jury is composed of 20 members, consisting of a group ...

in 1997. At the

48th Berlin International Film Festival The 48th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 11 to 22 February 1998. The festival opened with the Irish film ''The Boxer'' by Jim Sheridan. Francis Ford Coppola's '' The Rainmaker'' was selected as the closing night film. T ...

in 1998, Resnais won the

Silver Bear for outstanding artistic contribution The Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution () is the Berlin International Film Festival's award for achievement in crafting. Usually awarded to crew members, such as cinematographers, production designers, costume designers or editors ...

Box office

The film opened in France the same week as ''

Alien Resurrection ''Alien Resurrection'' is a 1997 American science fiction horror film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, written by Joss Whedon, and starring Sigourney Weaver and Winona Ryder. It is the fourth installment of the ''Alien'' franchise, and was fi ...

'', opening on 158 screens and grossing 30.3 million French Francs ($5.3 million) for the week, compared to 38.9 million French Francs for ''Alien Resurrection'' from 507 screens, and finishing in second place at the French box office. It went on to gross $39 million.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Same Old Song 1997 romantic comedy-drama films 1997 films Best Film César Award winners Films directed by Alain Resnais Films featuring a Best Actor César Award–winning performance Films featuring a Best Supporting Actor César Award–winning performance Films featuring a Best Supporting Actress César Award–winning performance Films set in Paris Films shot in Paris 1990s French-language films French musical comedy-drama films 1990s musical comedy-drama films Louis Delluc Prize winners Jukebox musical films Silver Bear for outstanding artistic contribution 1990s French films 1997 musical films