Copacabana by Marc Fitoussi

Copacabana seems to be no more than an excuse for Isabelle Huppert to show us yet another aspect of her talented performances. The film revolves around her character Babou - who is leading an exotic existence totally un-committed to jobs, boyfriends or anything stable - and her failing relationship with only daughter Esmeralda.

When informed that her own child is too embarrassed to invite mother to her wedding, Babou starts to reconsider her life. In an attempt to prove to herself that she is still able to fulfil her dreams, she moves to the uninviting environment of Ostende, Belgium, with the task of selling time-share flats. The job initially seems to go hand in hand with her extravagant style, but Babou is soon to discover that her personality is again getting in the way of her happiness.

Although an enjoyable comedy, the film hardly raises any interesting issues. Growing-up and the mother-daughter relationship are of course subjects which Copacabana attempts to discuss, but in the end Babou seems almost the same as the beginning. Her daughter does undergo a transformation, but yet again, the film is not really about her. Huppert delivers a beautiful performance and gives the story a nice rhythm, but you shouldn’t feel too sorry if this is a movie you have missed.

By Maria Diceanu