Les Enfants de la Pop 80's (2012)

Les Enfants de la Pop 80's Poster
Introduction
"Les Enfants de la Pop 80's" is a charming, nostalgic 2012 French movie that admires the pop culture and music of the 1980s. The title equates to "Children of Pop 80's" in English, referencing the generation shaped by this distinct duration of popular culture. Through the lens of 4 main characters, the movie presents an evocative journey filled with music, humor, love, and heartbreak.

Plot and Setting
The story unfolds in modern-day France however regularly rewinds to the vibrant world of the 80s through the recollections of the characters. The plot follows Thomas, Mathilde, Gabriel, and Pauline as they navigate the complexities of the adult years while grappling with the past that sculpted their characters. Each character personifies a popular element of 80s pop culture-- be it the carefree roller disco, elegant style patterns, the synth-dominated music or the defiant punk subculture.

Characters and Themes
Thomas, a music-loving dreamer, embodies the unquenchable spirit of 80s pop music. Mathilde is a lively fashion designer influenced by the years's special sartorial aesthetic. Gabriel, a business owner who as soon as held aspirations of signing up with the punk scene, comes to grips with his decision to desert his rebellious past for a business career. Meanwhile, Pauline, an introverted lady who used to be an avid roller-skater, is still tied to her old routines and memories. Jointly, they represent the battle of a generation, stuck in between the past's innocence and the present's grim truth.

The themes of fond memories, identity, and reconciliation are braided firmly into the story, spilling pathos and beauty into every scene. The 80s work as a bittersweet memory-- a time when they were kids, exploring, dreaming and at total liberty to be passionate about roller-skates, punk rock, popular culture, and fashion. Yet, as they review their past, they understand they are no longer the children they used to be, stirring a yearning for lost innocence and authenticity.

Design and Reception
"Les Enfants de la Pop 80's" is stylized to capture the 80's zeitgeist-- the disco lights, roller skates, synthesizers, punk bands, and cassette mixtapes, all which add a pulse of authenticity to the film. A soundtrack loaded with traditional 80s hits adds another layer of fond memories, resonating with the audience born or raised throughout the era.

Critics lauded the film's authenticity and capability to evoke a powerful sense of nostalgia. Nevertheless, some pointed out that the movie caters mostly to the French audience, as the nostalgia for popular culture and music of the 80s might not be the very same for worldwide viewers. The efficiencies of the lead stars received applause, especially for their ability to capture the duality of their characters-- their vibrant, dream-filled past and today weighed down by the truths of their adult years.

Conclusion
"Les Enfants de la Pop 80's" is a sincere homage to a generation shaped by 80s pop culture. It produces a bittersweet mix of youthful enthusiasm and callous maturation, echoing the universal process of maturing. A look into the glimmering world of 80's pop painted with a scheme of emotion and music, the film leaves the viewers clutching to their own memories, valuing their younger selves. It functions as a reminder of the magic and authenticity found within teenage dreams and goals, lost in the procedure of becoming an adult, in any era.

Top Cast

  • Robert Palmer
    Self (archive footage)
  • Eddy Mitchell (small)
    Eddy Mitchell
    Self (archive footage)
  • Alain Bashung (small)
    Alain Bashung
    Self (archive footage)
  • Grace Jones (small)
    Grace Jones
    Self (archive footage)
  • GĂ©rard Blanchard
    Self (archive footage)
  • Lionel Richie (small)
    Lionel Richie
    Self (archive footage)
  • Donna Summer (small)
    Donna Summer
    Self (archive footage)
  • Michel Sardou (small)
    Michel Sardou
    Self (archive footage)
  • Nik Kershaw (small)
    Nik Kershaw
    Self (archive footage)
  • Charlotte Gainsbourg (small)
    Charlotte Gainsbourg
    Self (archive footage)
  • Serge Gainsbourg (small)
    Serge Gainsbourg
    Self (archive footage)