Starring: Valerie Lemercier, Sylvian Marcel, Roc Lafortune, Danielle Fichaud, Antoine Vezina, Jean-Noel Broute. Voice of Victoria Sio
Distributor: Rialto Films
Runtime: 128 mins. Reviewed in Feb 2022
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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A fictionalised biography of Celine Dion (though the main storyline is true), as it follows her from child prodigy to concert and television performances, albums, marriage and motherhood.
Aline Dieu. See and hear Celine Dion.
Why the change of name? One thought would be that an audience for a documentary on Celine Dion might be limited in its appeal. Rather, a fictionalised account of her life and career would draw on a wider audience, her fans, those who know of her, those who like storytelling rather than documentation. However, a documentary would include quite an amount of footage of Celine Dion singing. Not that there are not songs and singing in this story.
An assurance for those who expect to hear “My heart will go on…”. It does appear – in a re-enactment of her singing the song at the Oscars when Titanic won Best Picture.
French-Canadian actress, Valerie Lemercier, must be Celine Dion’s biggest fan, number one fan. Not only has she written the screenplay and directed, she appears as the singer (and with some strange special effects, even as the singer age 12 (at the time of making the film, Valerie Lemercier was 55)).
What we have here is a straightforward story of a singer, life within her large family, family bonds, an ambitious mother, a genial supportive father, her being brought to the attention of entrepreneur, Guy-Claude Kamar when she was 12. And, as they say, and they say it often, and here we say it, the rest is history.
The Dieu family is large – there are 14 children. But Aline has a singing talent and the family is not afraid of pushing her forward. And Aline is not afraid of being pushed. So, the early part of the film shows her as something of a child prodigy, making an impact on television, then in concerts, an ever-growing public following.
There are some emotional complications when she falls in love – or, rather, a gradual deepening of her love for Guy, considered far too old for her. And her mother, always interfering to protect her daughter as well as promote her, disapproves. But, Aline has a strong personality and makes her own decisions, including marrying Guy. He is continually present, managing her, urging her on, loving her.
Aline learns English, gains an audience in the English-speaking world. She has some difficulties, not allowed to speak let alone sing for three months so as not to endanger her vocal cords. She is eager to have a child, with the couple having the son on whom she dotes. Then, seemingly unexpectedly, pregnant again, and twins. There are some family dynamics, the son with his moments of jealousy towards the twins… But having the delight of his first concert seeing his mother perform on stage.
The action moves rather rapidly in the latter part of the film, months fly by, then years, especially as the children grow, all the while Aline continues her singing. There are some griefs, her mother’s illness, but recovery, eventually her father’s death and, ultimately, the death of her husband after 21 years of marriage.
The final song of the film is worth listening to, a recapitulation in its lyrics of her own life, ups and downs, career, family, love, an ordinary woman who sings sublimely. (Note however, the voice is not that of Celine Dion but dubbed by Victoria Sio.)
12 Random Films…
