Slogan

The French singer-actor Serge Gainsbourg never achieved real stardom on this side of the Atlantic (though it certainly wasn't for lack of trying). Gainsbourg is a charismatic and compelling presence in Pierre Grimblat's 1969 feature Slogan, which has already earned a footnote-worthy status as being the star's first collaboration with Jane Birkin—leading to an 11-year marriage. An entertaining diversion, Slogan revolves around a 40-year-old TV commercial director (Gainsbourg) who abandons his wife and child to pursue an 18-year-old British girl (Birkin) during a film festival in Venice. Alas, for the director, his new paramour soon finds her fancy being entertained by a handsome (and considerably younger) stuntman. While Slogan is somewhat overstuffed with the artsy tricks of the late ‘60s (easily filling the French quota for montages and jump cuts), Gainsbourg's offbeat presence and sharp performance make the film stand out—he fully captures the depth of his character's foolish and seemingly self-destructive behavior. Gainsbourg also composed the film's lovely score, and joined Birkin to sing the catchy theme song. Presented in a two-disc special edition, DVD extras include interviews with the stars and director plus a selection of French TV commercials directed by Grimblat. Recommended. (P. Hall)