MonkeyScore: 98%

Joann Sfar, author of the Gainsbourg graphic novel that served as a base for the film, makes an impressive directorial debut with Gainsbourg (Vie Héroïque.) The film feels like the natural child of Amélie and The Doors, if you can imagine such a creature. Gainsbourg's raw emotions, pain and genius are conveyed through a poetic, visually arresting film. The addition of La Gueule, Serge's comic strip alter ego, is a touch of genius - especially if you are familiar with the French icon. He used to say that there was two of him - Gainsbourg the brash, eccentric, excessive star and Gainsbarre, the introvert artist and poet. It works really well, and adds a definite je-ne-sais-quoi to an already fascinating story. The film touches on some of the women Gainsbourg bedded and used as his muses. This gives supermodel Laetitia Casta a great opportunity to show that she is more than a pretty face and gorgeous body as screen legend, Gainsbourg lover and chanteuse Brigitte Bardot. She gets BB's voice, mannerisms and demeanour to a T, which is really what's needed to face Eric Elmosnino's Gainsbourg. His performance is nothing short of incredible. I call myself a Gainsbourg fan, having grown-up in France and having had the privilege to see him live on what turned out to be his last tour: I was blown away. Thing is, Gainsbourg is a great story, told brilliantly and to sublime music - so whether you've only ever heard the controversial Je T'Aime... or are a veteran Gainsbourg connoisseur, Gainsbourg (Vie Héroïque) is a future cult classic. Simply put, WOW.

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MovieMonkeys' Gainsbourg