Rating: 
Summary: Must be film lover
Review: One really has to love film to respect Jaglom's attempt at satire. Finally, Jaglom entertains without being preachy. I am very surprised at some of the negative reviews because in many ways this film is funnier, wittier and more inside than "The Player". Greta Sacchi is perfect as the actress turned writer turned hopeful director. Ron Silver couldn't be slimier or more sympathetic in the final reel. The end of the movie reminds me of "The Way We Were" but with more realism.Anouk Aimee is used properly as the star she is, and every supporting actor contributes the right feel for a bunch of hustlers on the Rivera. This is not a movie to wait for the punchline or for the action...it is a mood piece on the big machine that Hollywood became in the 1980's and in many ways is still today. The 80's were the machine at its worst, but slowly things are beginning to change. Even the blockbusters of today tend to have a little more substance than they used to.....with apologies to Tom Hanks.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT ONE OF JAGLOMS BEST
Review: The problem with jaglom's films is that some seem so inspired and witty while most are simply boring gab fests on film. Festival in Cannes could have been a very good film but it's one of Jaglom's worst efforts (actually there doesn't seem to be much effort in this work). I barely finished it. I suggest you skip this one.
Rating: 
Summary: A "Festival" of fun?
Review: There are two things Hollywood likes to satirize. One politics and two itself. Henry Jaglom's "Festival in Cannes" does a moderate job of showing the more pretentious, ego mania, money driven side of Hollywood. There were moments into the film where I smiled happily at it. Then there were moments where the film dragged. It's a very low key film, but, then again it was made by Jaglom. A talented independent filmmaker. He does not concern himself with the mainstream, and that's something I respect. I guess it's because of that, that "Festival in Cannes" will only be enjoyed by certain audiences.
As I sat in theatre, I was the only person there. The film is only playing in one theatre in all of Chicago! But, sometimes, I thought, the really good films go unseen by the American public. And this is almost one of those kinds of films.
The movie revolves around Alice Palmer (Greta Scacchi) a well known actress who has decided to direct her first film of her own script. She is apporached by a fan, Kaz Naiman (Zach Norman, who steals the scenes his in. He has a Woody Allen quality to him in this film.) she finds out after talking to him that he produces movies and before she knows it, he's out collecting money for her film, 3 million dollars to be exact! But, here's the hitch, the only way they can get the 3 million is IF they can get Millie Marquand (The wonderful Anouk Aimee) to star in the film but, none of this will be easy because a big shot Hollywood producer Rick Yorkin (Ron Silver) wants to give her a role in a new Tom Hanks film.
OK, right now you have to admit this all sounds like it has possibilities. It sounds like it could be a good "back stage" satire on the movie industry. And for the most part it is. But as I watched this film I thought of Woody Allen's "Celebrity". Here's a film that dealt with similar ideas I felt, only because it's Woody Allen one could expect the fast paced quick witted one linners. Not so with Henry Jaglom. He's not as witty.
"Festival in Cannes" is a movie most of the American public will get bored with very quickly. Many won't give it a chance but there was something about it that I enjoyed. But you have to be patience with this movie. It does not have a lot of fast action or funny remarks. But it's a smart well-done film. It has characters that for the most part are pretty well developed. Plus there are wonderful location shots of Paris. The camerawork of the film will bother some though. At certain moments it's very shaky.
The rest of the cast in the film includes;Peter Bogdanovich, Jenny Gabrielle, Maximilian Schell & cameos by Faye Dunaway and William Shatner.
Bottom-line: While the pace of the film is a bit off, and it's goes on for about 10-15 minutes too long "Festival in Cannes" has enough moments where it works, even though it's like a Woody Allen film only not as witty.
| 
