This French, subtitled film follows a French-Armenian singer, actor and songwriter, Charles Aznavour, who became become one of France’s best known entertainers.
MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR. Starring Tahar Rahim, Bastien Bouillon, and Marie-Julie Baup. Directed by Mehdi Idir and Grand Corps Malade. Rated M (Mature themes). 134 min.
Review by Peter W Sheehan, Jesuit Media Australia
This musical, biographical drama is both written and directed by Mehdi Idir and Grand Corps Malade, and is the life story of French singer, Charles Aznavour, who is played by Tahar Rahim. Aznavour was the son of Armenian immigrants and he rose to fame as a beloved singer and actor.
The film is co-produced by France and Belgium, and was nominated for seven Cesar awards in 2025, including Best Actor for Tahar Rahim, who was judged to be an entertainer who personified French culture to the English-Speaking World.
The film is a moving tribute to Charles Aznavour and Rahim captures his appearance and mannerisms. The film is also set in Paris at a time in which famous singers, like Edith Piaf graced the world’s musical stage. The film shares the life of a famous composer, singer, and musician, as well as his family life. It is rich in detail and pays attention in Chapter format to the different time frames in which the story is set.
The film portrays Aznavour’s artistic temperament, and it does so to engender no doubt at all about the rise to fame of a legendary artist. Born in Paris, Aznavour spent his childhood years in poverty and died in 2018, at age 94 in France. He married three times. In the movie, he sings his songs himself, and he adopted the wisdom of Edith Piaf (Marie-Julie Baup), whom he admired very much in his musical life. Like Piaf, Aznavour had incredible vocal prowess, and Piaf became an influential mentor to him.
Over time, Aznavour was criticised for his raspy voice and Armenian heritage, but made it to the very top of his musical profession with a strong dedication to work, obvious vocal ability, and extraordinary mental determination. In the movie, Tahar Rahim brings Charles Aznavour’s charisma vitally to life, and the film uses excellent visual effects to enhance key moments in his life.
This is a highly dramatic film about a very talented singer’s rise to French fame. In both music and song – writing, the film bares his creative, and at times tortured, soul.
Peter W. Sheehan is an Associate of Jesuit Media