Au son des guitares: A sunny escape or just a postcard?

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for old-fashioned musicals or just really want to see Corsica on a screen, this is a pleasant way to spend an hour or so. Folks who need tight pacing or a story that actually makes sense might want to skip this one. Honestly, the plot is barely there, existing only to get us from one song to the next.

Tino Rossi is the whole reason this movie exists. When he sings, the film actually finds a pulse. Before that, it feels a bit like waiting in a lobby. 🎶

Notes from the couch

The transition between the dialogue scenes and the musical numbers is... well, let’s just say it is abrupt. One second we are dealing with some mild romantic tension, and the next, everyone is singing like they are in a Broadway show. It is a bit jarring, but kind of charming in a messy way.

I found myself staring at the background extras more than once. There is this one scene by the docks where a guy in the back is just leaning against a post, looking like he has absolutely nowhere to be. He looked more relaxed than the lead actors.

Compared to the intense drama you might find in something like Fräulein Julie, this is essentially a nap in the sun. It does not try to change the world. It barely tries to finish its own sentences.

The good and the shrug

• The Corsican scenery is lovely, even if the film quality makes it look a bit like a faded postcard.
• The music is genuinely smooth, though I started humming the same melody about four times.
• The dialogue feels like it was written in a rush. Some lines just stop dead in their tracks.

Is it a masterpiece? No. It’s barely a movie, really. It is more of a concert film disguised as a romance. If you come in expecting the emotional weight of Le malade imaginaire, you are going to be disappointed. But if you just want to hear a nice voice while looking at some water, you could do much worse.

The ending happens so fast it felt like the projectionist just gave up. One moment of clarity, a final song, and then... nothing. Just credits. It’s almost impressive how little the movie cares about closure. I sort of respected the audacity of it.