The Fairy (La Fée)

“Les fées n’existent pas” (fairies do not exist) – or do they?

This celestial screenplay follows the story of Dom (Dominique Abel), a humble hotel clerk content in his modest existence, who is happened upon by fairy Fiona (Fiona Gordon) and offered three wishes.

Set in the unpretentious surroundings of Le Havre, the second biggest port in France, The Fairy tells its magical story through comic and at times rather ludicrous sequences.

Like two French beans from the same pod, Dom and Fiona achieve a unique allure a million miles away from Hollywood blockbusters.  Their sinewy limbs and knobbly knees make for such fascinating viewing; something that was made the most of with passionate dance routines, and humorous medleys akin to something you may find at a circus.

The storyline follows Fiona, the self-confessed fairy, and Dom as they fall in love – much to the aversion of the police and Fiona’s nurse at a mental health hospital.

Being consistently pursued makes for more comic opportunity; something that in this film there is an abundance of.

This film must be taken light-heartedly.  It was not written with an ounce of sincerity, and therefore one can forgive the few unrealistic elements; such as underwater dancing, consummation in a clam, and finally an instantaneous pregnancy in which Fiona literally “blows up” to the size of a full-term pregnancy in a matter of seconds.

French art-house cinema is feel-good and fancy-free.  The actors stand as plain canvas, allowing their bodily movements and dialogues to really take the attention.

There will definitely be a divide in the reaction from audiences when watching The Fairy because when a film exaggerates humour to the point of absurdity, it will leave some people behind.  On the whole, this film demonstrates the wonderful uniqueness of French cinema; much like Amélie did back in 2001.

All in all, The Fairy is a seraphic success.

Verdict: •••

Jennifer Atkinson

The Fairy is released on 29^th June 2012

Watch the trailer here