Movie of the Day: Hear me love (2024) by Diastème
- dailyentertainment95
- Apr 24
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 24
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/joli-joli-2024
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33504161/
About movie: https://www.hautetcourt.com/films/joli-joli/
"Hear Me Love (2024)" by Diastème: A Whirlwind Musical Romance
"Hear Me Love," known in its original French as "Joli Joli," is a 2024 French musical comedy and romance film directed by Diastème. Set against the vibrant backdrops of 1970s Paris and Rome, the movie tells the story of a serendipitous meeting and the charmingly complicated path to love between a struggling writer and a rising film star, paying homage to classic movie musicals.
About Movie (Detailed Summary)
The film begins on a snowy New Year's Eve in Paris, where Elias (William Lebghil), a reclusive and penniless but talented writer struggling to complete his second novel, has a chance encounter with Eleonore Alister (Clara Luciani), a famous and mesmerizing movie star. Their meeting is an instant "coup de foudre," a love at first sight, but Eleonore mysteriously disappears at the end of the night. Driven by this enchanting encounter and perhaps finding a new source of inspiration, Elias embarks on a quest to find her. Their journey towards a potential romance is anything but smooth, filled with a series of misunderstandings, moments of jealousy, and surprising twists and turns that take them from the Parisian cityscape to the iconic Cinecittà Studios in Rome. "Hear Me Love" is a vibrant and swirling narrative that uses musical numbers to express the characters' emotions and advance the plot. It captures the aesthetic and spirit of 1970s cinema and musicals, creating a world filled with color, music, and romantic entanglement. The film is a modern take on classic romantic comedy tropes, set to an original score, and explores themes of fate, the pursuit of love, the intersection of art and life, and the often-unpredictable nature of relationships.
Plot Summary
In 1970s Paris, a struggling writer meets and falls instantly in love with a famous movie star on New Year's Eve. After she disappears, he seeks her out, leading them on a romantic and tumultuous journey filled with music, misunderstandings, and a trip to Rome.
Director's Vision
Diastème, known for his work in both film and theater, set out to create a joyous and "intoxicating musical comedy" with "Hear Me Love." His vision was to revive the spirit and magic of classic movie musicals, particularly drawing inspiration from the colorful and emotionally expressive works of Jacques Demy. He aimed for an assertive retro aesthetic that would immerse the audience in the 1970s setting. Diastème, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Alex Beaupain (who composed the music and lyrics), focused on blending chiseled dialogue with original songs that would serve the narrative and emotional arcs of the characters. He intended the film to be a "whirlwind musical comedy" that explores universal themes of love, passion, and the inherent unpredictability of romantic relationships, ultimately seeking to demonstrate that the French musical genre remains a vibrant space for storytelling.
Themes
Love at First Sight and Romantic Pursuit: The film centers on an immediate and powerful connection and the subsequent efforts to rekindle it.
The World of Art and Cinema: The film is set against the backdrop of the literary and film worlds, exploring the lives of artists and performers.
Fate and Serendipity: The chance encounter that sparks the central romance raises questions about destiny and the role of coincidence in love.
Misunderstandings and Complications: The path to true love is shown to be filled with obstacles and humorous confusions.
Nostalgia and Homage: The film intentionally evokes the style and spirit of 1970s musicals, serving as a tribute to the genre.
The Power of Music and Song: Musical numbers are integral to the storytelling, expressing emotions and driving the narrative forward.
Key Success Factors
"Hear Me Love" has generated interest and positive sentiment, particularly in the context of a revival of French movie musicals. Key success factors include:
Refreshing Musical Genre: As a contemporary French movie musical, it offers a relatively rare and appealing genre to audiences.
Charming Premise and Setting: The romantic storyline set in the stylish 1970s Paris and Rome provides a visually and narratively attractive backdrop.
Original Music and Performances: The success of the film relies heavily on the quality of the original songs and the performances of the cast, particularly lead actress Clara Luciani, a popular singer.
Homage to Classic Musicals: For fans of classic movie musicals, the film's intentional nods to the genre are a significant draw.
Ensemble Cast: The film features a mix of established and popular French actors and personalities, contributing to its appeal.
Summary Short
"Hear Me Love (2024)" (original title "Joli Joli") by Diastème is a French musical romantic comedy set in the 1970s, following a struggling writer who falls for a famous movie star, leading to a whirlwind romance filled with music and misunderstandings between Paris and Rome.
Awards and Nominations
As of the current available information, "Hear Me Love (2024)" has received 1 selection at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris 2025 (Paris Screenings - Cinema). While it premiered at the Saint-Jean-de-Luz Film Festival, specific awards or nominations beyond festival selections are not widely listed in the provided search snippets or on IMDb.
Critics Reception
Critical reception for "Hear Me Love" appears to be mixed to positive, based on available snippets and user reviews, with appreciation for its musical elements and nostalgic charm, but some reservations about its narrative depth.
SensCritique (User Reviews): Reviews are varied, with positive comments highlighting it as a "musical and visual masterpiece," a "perfect feel-good movie," and praising the songs and retro aesthetic. More critical reviews found it "fragmentary," lacking in "taste," or having a minimal plot despite good songs.
Sortiraparis.com: Called it a "heartwarming retro musical" with "charm and sincere emotion," praising the committed cast and sumptuous art direction, while noting that some songs felt more decorative than narrative.
Screen Daily: Mentioned the film as part of a "French musical revival" and highlighted Clara Luciani's first lead role and Alex Beaupain's scoring.
MUBI: Lists critic reviews but the provided snippets do not offer detailed summaries of their viewpoints.
Overall Summary of Critics Reception: "Hear Me Love" is generally seen as a charming and visually appealing movie musical that successfully evokes the spirit of the 1970s. Critics and audiences who appreciate the genre and the film's nostalgic aesthetic tend to react positively, praising the music and performances. However, some reviewers felt the story or certain musical numbers lacked narrative substance, leading to a more mixed overall reception.
Reviews
Reviews for "Hear Me Love" emphasize its identity as a contemporary French musical that deliberately pays tribute to the past. The film's success in capturing the vibrant visual and musical style of the 1970s is a common point of discussion. While some reviews celebrate the film as a delightful and emotionally resonant experience, others express that the narrative might not be as strong as its stylistic elements or that the integration of songs into the story is not always seamless. The film appears to be a treat for the senses, particularly for those fond of movie musicals and the aesthetics of the era it depicts.
Box Office
According to IMDb, "Hear Me Love (2024)" has a reported worldwide box office gross of approximately $346,211. This figure likely reflects the film's earnings from its theatrical release in France and potentially limited earnings from international festival screenings and early releases in other territories.
Production
"Hear Me Love (2024)" is a French production. The film was directed by Diastème and the screenplay was co-written by Diastème and Alex Beaupain, who also composed the original music and lyrics. The film was produced by several companies including Nolita, Les Canards Sauvages, Hors-Champ Productions, Pierre Hubert Film By Ice, Ugo & Play, Marcel Films, and Versus production (mentioned as a foreign production company, likely from Belgium). The film features a notable cast of French actors and personalities led by singer Clara Luciani and actor William Lebghil, with supporting roles from José Garcia, Laura Felpin, Grégoire Ludig, and Vincent Dedienne. The film was shot on location, including in Paris and Rome's Cinecittà Studios, and features an assertive retro aesthetic with sumptuous sets and costumes designed by Chloé Cambournac and Alexandra Charles, respectively.
Production Companies
Nolita: (Country: France) - Lead Production company.
Les Canards Sauvages: (Country: Not specified, likely France) - Co-production company.
Hors-Champ Productions: (Country: Not specified, likely France) - Co-production company.
Pierre Hubert Film By Ice: (Country: Not specified, likely France) - Co-production company.
Ugo & Play: (Country: Not specified, likely France) - Co-production company.
Marcel Films: (Country: Not specified, likely France) - Co-production company.
Versus production: (Country: Not specified, mentioned as foreign) - Production company (likely co-production).
Sales Companies
Ginger & Fed: (Country: Not specified, likely French) - Handles the international sales for the film.
Distribution Companies
Haut et Court: (Country: France) - Distributed the film theatrically in France.
Information regarding international distribution in all territories is not fully available, but the film has had theatrical releases in several countries in early 2025.
Release Date on Streaming
As of the current available information, "Hear Me Love (2024)" is not indicated as available for streaming on major platforms like JustWatch in the United States. Information regarding streaming releases in other territories is also not readily available.
Theatrical Release
"Hear Me Love (2024)" had a premiere in France at the Saint-Jean-de-Luz Film Festival on October 7, 2024. It received its wide theatrical release in France on December 25, 2024, distributed by Haut et Court. The film has also seen theatrical releases in several other countries in early 2025, including Brazil (March 13, 2025), Japan (January 31, 2025), Switzerland (January 15, 2025), and Portugal (May 2025).
Why to Recommend This Movie
For Fans of Movie Musicals: It's a contemporary take on the genre with original songs and a vibrant aesthetic.
Charming Romantic Comedy: The film offers a lighthearted and visually appealing love story with a touch of classic Hollywood glamour.
Celebration of 1970s Style: The film's retro design and atmosphere are a major draw for those who appreciate the aesthetics of the era.
Why to Watch Movie
To Experience a French Musical: It's an opportunity to see how this genre is interpreted in contemporary French cinema.
Enjoy Original Songs and Performances: The film features new music and performances from a talented cast, including a popular singer in a lead role.
For a Feel-Good and Visually Rich Film: The movie promises a transporting experience with its colorful production design and romantic storyline.
What Movie Trend film is following
The film aligns with the trend of reviving and reinterpreting classic film genres, specifically the movie musical. It also fits within the trend of nostalgia-driven aesthetics, using the 1970s setting and style to create a specific mood and appeal. The involvement of a popular music artist in a leading role is also a recurring trend in musicals and films with strong musical components.
What Big Social Trend is following
The film taps into a broader social trend of nostalgia for past decades and cultural periods, particularly the 1970s, which is reflected in fashion, music, and entertainment. While not explicitly issue-driven, the film's focus on romantic relationships and personal dreams also aligns with ongoing societal interests in love, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness.
Final Verdict
"Hear Me Love (2024)" by Diastème, or "Joli Joli," is a delightful and visually captivating French musical that serves as a warm homage to the classic musicals of the 1970s. While critical reception is somewhat mixed, with some reviewers finding the narrative less compelling than the aesthetics and music, the film's charm, vibrant energy, and the clear passion behind its creation are undeniable. The performances, particularly by Clara Luciani and William Lebghil, contribute significantly to the film's appeal. For audiences who have a fondness for movie musicals, a love for 1970s style, and are looking for a feel-good romantic comedy with a touch of whimsy and a great soundtrack, "Hear Me Love" is a recommended and enjoyable cinematic experience that successfully achieves its goal of celebrating the joy of the musical genre.
Recommendations for Filmmakers
Embrace and Update Classic Genres: Finding fresh ways to interpret and pay tribute to beloved film genres can resonate with audiences.
Prioritize Visual and Auditory Aesthetics in Musicals: Strong production design, costumes, and original music are crucial for creating an immersive and memorable musical film.
Collaborate with Musical Talent: Working closely with composers and performers integral to the music creation and execution is key for a successful musical.
Recommendations for Movie Industry
Support the Production and Distribution of Musicals: Recognize the audience appetite for movie musicals and invest in diverse projects within this genre.
Capitalize on Nostalgia: Films that effectively tap into nostalgia for specific eras through their aesthetics and tone can find a receptive audience.
Promote International Genre Films: Encourage the distribution of well-crafted genre films from different countries, as they can offer unique cultural perspectives and contribute to a richer global film landscape.
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