Absolutely Fabulous (2001 film)
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| Absolutely Fabulous | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| French | Absolument fabuleux |
| Directed by | Gabriel Aghion |
| Written by |
|
| Based on | |
| Produced by | Pascal Houzelot |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | François Catonné |
| Edited by | Maryline Monthieux |
| Music by | Nicolas Neidhardt |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | BAC Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
| Budget | $13.2 million[1] |
| Box office | $4.9 million[2] |
Absolutely Fabulous (French: Absolument fabuleux) is a 2001 French comedy film co-written and directed by Gabriel Aghion. It is an adaptation of the British television sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, created by Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French.[3]
The film stars Josiane Balasko, Nathalie Baye, Marie Gillain and Claude Gensac. To parallel the role of Lulu in the original series, French singer Chantal Goya appeared as herself. Saunders makes a cameo appearance as a spectator sitting next to Catherine Deneuve at a fashion show.
Plot
Patsy has a penchant for alcohol, especially for a famous brand of champagne. Eddie is obsessed with her curves and perpetually electrified by cocaine, soothed by countless different sleeping pills. In May 1968 they mounted the barricades, but in the film they have both reached fifty. Eddie ended up marrying and became the mother of a beautiful girl. She lives off her ex-husband under the same roof. His public relations firm has only one client, Chantal Goya.
Patsy remained single and independent, spending her life as muse to various men. Patsy and Eddie are shown drinking champagne at any time of day or night, shrouded in the smoke of tobacco and marijuana. Eddie leads Safrane, her daughter, into the chaos of her values. She is still a virgin at 17 and preparing for the Polytechnic entrance exam. Eddie's ex-husband can no longer put up with her permanent pranks, alcoholism, grotesque and pathological irresponsibility.
Cast
- Josiane Balasko as Edith "Eddie" Mousson
- Nathalie Baye as Patricia "Patsy" Laroche
- Marie Gillain as Safrane Vaudoye
- Vincent Elbaz as Jonathan
- Claude Gensac as Mamie Mousson
- Yves Rénier as Alain Vaudoye
- Saïd Taghmaoui as Manu
- Armelle as Cerise
- Tomer Sisley as Kevin
Cameo appearances
- Chantal Goya as herself
- Stéphane Bern as himself
- Christophe Robin as himself
- Jean-Paul Gaultier as himself
- Catherine Deneuve as herself
- Jennifer Saunders as herself
- Brigitte Fontaine as herself
- Estelle Lefébure as herself
- Claire Chazal as herself
Production
Aghion's stated reason for making the film was to increase awareness of the series in France, where it was not widely known. For the screenplay, Aghion translated scenes from the original series, and tied them together into a coherent screenplay.
The role of Patsy was originally offered to Amanda Lear, who declined by saying that she had "already lived it".
Reception
The film performed poorly at the French box office and was panned by most French critics,[4] who argued that it failed to translate the typically British humour of the original television series.