Anthony Marciano's "Play" review: Cassette generation

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Anthony Marciano's latest film (The Kids and the very forgettable Robin Hood, the real story) has missed its French box office. Having benefited from an unsavory release date in our theaters(January 1 , 2020), it will finish its race at about 250,000 admissions. But good news for all latecomers! The film was selected by the CNC among those that were released on VOD early with the lockdown. And we really advise you to take a look!

An ode to nostalgia

Max, soon to be in his forties, plunges us back into his youth that he filmed since he was 13 years old. Especially the year 1993, during which he was offered his first camera. Since then, he has filmed almost everything, from his adventures with Emma, Mathias and Arnaud, his band of friends. We then see again through the recordings, his career and the life of the group, punctuated with some famous events that take place during the period they are going through. We will be able to list in particular the World Cup 98, the transition to the year 2000 etc … All while recreating the visual atmosphere of old camera recordings, which is very successful. We really find ourselves immersed in the 90s. Without making boxes, Marciano knows how to dose his staging properly. And even towards the end, when you go back to more recent years, you don't get bored.

Impeccable actors

The problem with films following characters over multiple eras, especially the pre-teen/adolescent period, is that you usually have to change the actors. As a result, either the actors are good but do not look alike at all between the ages. Or the resemblance is striking but the actor will not be convincing. However, in the case of Play, Marciano and Boublil managed to make the perfect combo. At least we are not frustrated to leave this or that actor when he is replaced by his older version. We believe in it and it's very pleasant to follow!

A well-chosen soundtrack

You can find You Are My High by Demon, audible from the trailer. But also, Oasis, the Pixies, M83, Jaimiroquai, NTM, Spin Doctors, etc… It's a nice musical anthology that is there to accompany you in the viewing of cassettes to videos of the iPhone. To conclude, we have with Play a funny and touching comedy, which makes us want to go back in time, to make the four hundred moves with friends.

Play Movie Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtVB92cfriE

Interview with part of the cast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMih1ZqIh1c