Look at Me (2005)
81%RT Audience Score: 69%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Look at Me” is a film that is as intellectually stimulating as it is entertaining. From the exactitude of observation to the elegance of the writing, this French film is a masterclass in character study. Jaoui’s wryly observant sights on family, artistic ambition, and the tyranny of physical appearance are universal themes that are explored with a light, sometimes hilarious touch. While some may argue that the lack of a built-in hero or heroine makes it difficult to root for any character, the sustained emotional momentum of the film is a testament to its fully rounded dramaturgy. In short, “Look at Me” is a wholesome work that examines the complexities of human relationships and the struggle for self-worth in a world that values superficiality.
Look at Me” is like a French pastry – delicate, precise, and oh so satisfying. The film’s attention to detail and character development is like watching a master chef at work. You’ll savor every moment of this witty and observant film, which explores the complexities of family, ambition, and the superficiality of modern society. It’s a treat for the eyes and the mind, and will leave you feeling both entertained and enlightened. Bon appétit!
Production Company(ies)
Werner Herzog Filmproduktion, Hessischer Rundfunk
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2005
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 51m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:France, Italy
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 1, 2005 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 9, 2005
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Marilou Berry, Jean-Pierre Bacri, Laurent Grévill, Virginie Desarnauts, Keine Bouhiza, Agnès Jaoui, directed by Agnès Jaoui, written by Jean-Pierre Bacri, Agnès Jaoui, Comedy, Drama, PG-13, box office gross $1.7M, reviewed by Richard Nilsen, Marjorie Baumgarten, Anthony Lane, Roger Moore, Rene Rodriguez, Ann Hornaday, Cole Smithey, Jim Lane, Kam Williams, Michael Ferraro, Donald Munro, James Sanford, self-absorption, weight problem, singing career, vocal coach, literary star, second wife, sense of worth, French (Canada), Jean-Philippe Andraca, Christian Bérard, Sony Pictures Classics, Surround, Scope (2.35:1)
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Agnès Jaoui – Sylvia Millet
Jean-Pierre Bacri – Étienne Cassard
Laurent Grévill – Pierre Millet
Virginie Desarnauts – Karine
Keine Bouhiza – Sébastien
Director(s)
Agnès Jaoui
Writer(s)
Jean-Pierre Bacri, Agnès Jaoui
Producer(s)
Jean-Philippe Andraca, Christian Bérard
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (98) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (86) | Rotten (12)
The pleasure of the film, as in many French films from Renoir to Rohmer, is in the exactitude of observation, the accuracy of the portrait and the elegance of the writing.
May 26, 2005 | Rating: 3.5/5
Richard Nilsen
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
Although little about the story seems surprising or spontaneous, the film’s delights lie in its acute observation of the characters and their interactions.
May 21, 2005 | Rating: 3.5/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Both an implicit protest against the blindness of power and an equally fervent protest against the acquiescence of men and women who are too weak or too compromised to stand up for themselves — that is, most people.
May 21, 2005
Anthony Lane
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
At best, a most watchable character study of lives that are more interesting than compelling.
May 13, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
[Has] a light, sometimes hilarious touch.
May 6, 2005 | Rating: 3.5/4
Rene Rodriguez
Miami Herald
TOP CRITIC
Jaoui sets her wryly observant sights on family, artistic ambition and the tyranny of physical appearance, and the result is a bright, briskly moving film whose modest scale belies the universality of its themes.
April 29, 2005
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
“Look at Me” is a wholesome work of fully rounded dramaturgy that spins on a gyroscope of sustained emotional momentum.
June 8, 2009 | Rating: A-
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review
Examines a variety of questions, such as superficiality versus substance, materialism versus self-worth, and taking advantage of others versus forming sincere relationships.
June 20, 2007 | Rating: 3/4
Kam Williams
Princeton Town Topics
Sadly, too much focus is spent on showing character traits that any kind of coherent story or compassion for characters is destroyed.
December 6, 2005 | Rating: 2/5
Michael Ferraro
Film Threat
Forces the audience to ride the waves of some complicated relationships without having a built-in hero or heroine for which to root.
August 19, 2005 | Rating: A-
Donald Munro
Fresno Bee
a sharp illustration of how it feels to resent someone you know you’re supposed to love.
August 5, 2005
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette…
Plot
Lolita, a talented 20-year-old with dreams of a singing career, struggles with low self-esteem due to her weight problem and her narcissistic father’s lack of interest in her life, but finds an ally in her father’s second wife in her battle to find a sense of worth in the French comedy-drama “Look at Me.”
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for “Look at Me.”
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