Reviews
The New Statesman
Ryan Gilbey
“A biopic also contains an element of biopsy and Cloclo is no exception. The root of François’s unhappiness, as well as his success, is that Daddy didn’t love him. When the son first plays a vinyl copy of Frank Sinatra’s version of “My Way”, the walls of his home glide away to reveal his childhood garden and a vision of his late father smiling proudly at last. What could have been a hokey conceit is actually consistent with the performance sequences, where a pair of Congas, or the glamorous members of the dance troupe Les Clodettes, might pop into view at any moment. As with the script’s controlled release of information about François’s family life, which is entirely in keeping with the way he marshalled his own image, the film-makers have let him call some of the shots from beyond the grave.”
20/06/2012
Read Full Review
The Observer
Mark Kermode
“This colourfully swoonsome biopic follows "Cloclo" from painful childhood to public adoration, ticking off career landmarks in the brash, finger-popping, broadstrokes style of the underrated Bobby Darin biopic Beyond the Sea.
”
24/06/2012
Read Full Review
The Guardian
Phil Hoad
“More usually, François was a frenetic piggybacker on Anglo-American trends; Siri does better on this score, with the help of a monumental Jérémie Renier turn, almost summoning the grandeur of the Scorsesian personality opera. Whether the personality deserves it is another matter.”
21/06/2012
Read Full Review
Time Out
Trevor Johnston
“Vividly capturing the sheer campery of the yé-yé era’s Gallic co-option of Motown grooves and moves, ‘Cloclo’ peaks with an emotional piledriver of a sequence building from the creation of ‘Comme d’habitude’. Unfortunately, it loses impetus in surveying the following decade, flailing around in detail and never landing a killer thematic punch. Still, it’s fascinating for all that, and Renier proves oddly touching as the ill-fated idol whose determination to win love by controlling every aspect of his life leaves him ever more isolated.”
20/06/2012
Read Full Review
The Times
Kate Muir
“At more than two hours, the subject is too slim, but Jérémie Renier fills Cloclo’s winkle-pickers and pixie boots admirably. His reinventions, from crooner to disco queen, are a hoot.”
22/06/2012
Read Full Review
Total Film
Kate Stables
“Dardenne brothers favourite Jérémie Renier is uncannily good as the tightly wound star, as well as a dead ringer for him.”
21/06/2012
Read Full Review
The Sunday Times
Louis Wise
“The main problem here is the lead, Jérémie Renier. He’s a dead ringer for François, but his angsty boy-scout rendition can’t give the singer the light and shade required.
”
24/06/2012
Read Full Review