Christophe Barratier’s Paris 36 is an endlessly enjoyable film with all of the vitality, comedy, and intrigue of the grand films of old Hollywood.

Gérard Jugnot plays Pigoil, director of The Chansonia, a small theater on the outskirts of Paris. Following the death of the theater’s owner, The Chansonia falls into the hands of local robber baron and all ’round toughguy Galapiat, played with sinister charm by Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu. Galapiat plans on selling The Chansonia, but the dedicated players and crew of the small theater have other ideas. Cast against the backdrop of the dramatic social changes taking place in pre-war France, the theater stalwarts find themselves in the midst of a pétit révolution, as right-wing nationalists seek to break the changes brought about by the French workers’ rights movement. Clovis Cornillac, as would-be Marxist revolutionary and stage manager/performer Milou, leads the charge of an oppressed (and bewildered) mass of theater workers at The Chansonia who find themselves, paradoxically, owned by their neighborhood’s premier capitalist in the person of Gallapiat.

Things get off to a rocky start as the crew of The Chansonia is met with a chilly reception by the local theater-goers as their variety show bungles its way through lopsided musical numbers and comedy acts that run from the ribald to the inane, particularly the laughable performance of the so-called ‘Master Impersonator’ Jacky Jaquet played brilliantly by Algerian-born French actor Kad Merad. It seems as though Gallapiat will have no trouble at all ridding himself of The Chansonia, that is, until, young upstart Douce, played by the captivating Nora Arnezeder, comes to town. Douce and the gang at The Chansonia get into even deeper trouble as their little revolution soon finds itself in the midst of a lopsided love triangle and a drama that has its beginnings years before Douce comes to town, but nonetheless ensnares the friends of The Chansonia in yet another of life’s little catastrophes. Ah, but to tell any more would spoil the fun of surely the most fun you’ll have watching a movie for some time. You’ll have to check out the DVD next week; you’ll be glad that you did.

Highpoints of this film are its cast. Each and every member plays their part well. Nora Arnezeder is beautiful as Douce. Her singing and acting are second to none, and she captures the wide-eyed energy of her part perfectly. Kad Merad is outrageously funny and poignant as Jacky Jaquet, and Gérard Jugnot’s moving performance as Pigoil — the driving force behind the The Chansonia — is at times hilarious and other times moving. Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu is menacing as Galapiat.

The musical numbers are very enjoyable. They are of the classic variety that so captures the way that older Hollywood films were made and is reminiscent of the French classic Le Million. From its beautiful sets and scenery, to its wonderful story that offers something for everyone, Paris 36 is at the top of the must-see DVD’s to be released next week. But those are just a few of the things to enjoy about this big hearted film that hits all of the right notes. You’ll have to discover the rest for yourself!