AND NOW LADIES & GENTLEMAN
A vibrant French romance with spiritual questions and some occult concerns.
Should You Watch It?
This is a four-star film with real sparkle. Claude Lelouch blends adventure, humor, drama, anxiety, romance, and a spiritual quest with a light touch. The musical numbers are superbly woven into the story, and the sound has unusual resonance, breadth, and depth.
The movie also asks you to sort through moral confusion. Valentin is a jewel thief whose actions initially seem celebrated, though he eventually tries to repay those he robbed. The romantic story involves cohabitation, but the film ultimately suggests that love requires a deeper spiritual commitment. Occult elements and prayers to a dead saint complicate that message.
If you are choosing for teenagers or adults who can practice discernment, this is worth seeing. For younger children, choose something else. The practical answer: WORTH THE TRIP — AGES 13 AND UP.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESJane is a gifted singer whose blackouts make performing increasingly difficult. Valentin is a jewel thief trying to escape his past and his relationship.
Their separate journeys lead them to Morocco, where they meet and fall in love. But when a robbery occurs and the police accuse Valentin, their new relationship faces a serious test. Throughout the film, sleep, dreams, and reality often blur.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an exceptional entertainment, and the source review praises it without reservation. Claude Lelouch directs at the top of his form, balancing several genres while keeping the movie light on its feet.
The musical numbers are superb, and the sound quality is especially impressive. Patricia Kaas is a superb actress. Jeremy Irons is good and competent, though the review finds him less intense and vibrant than Kaas. The film remains highly entertaining and is described as one of the best French films in years.
The Worldview
The film presents a largely moral message beneath its romantic and dreamlike surface. Valentin’s robbery is initially treated almost as a clever adventure, but the movie eventually condemns it through his effort to repay the people he robbed. It also rebukes cohabitation in its own way, suggesting that romantic love needs a deeper spiritual commitment. There is no overt sexual activity beyond kissing, despite the careless attitude toward sexual relationships.
The spiritual quest is more troubling. Jane is ministered to by a Moroccan faith healer, possibly a dervish or witchdoctor, and is directed to pray at the tomb of Lilla Chaffia, a dead saint. These occult elements and prayers conflict with biblical worship, even as the movie’s moral concerns sometimes point in a better direction.
The film’s central longing is for love, healing, and a deeper spiritual reality. Scripture directs that longing toward God: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Ultimately moral worldview with Romantic elements, Moroccan occult elements and prayers to a dead, so-called saint; also, movie appears initially to commend robbery, but eventually condemns it; nine light obscenities and one profanity; light violence such as man and woman have blackouts, man falls in his yacht, and man put in jail and questioned ruthlessly; sexual elements include cohabitation but no overt sexual activity except kissing is shown; some skimpy outfits but no nudity; alcohol use; smoking and pills used for overcoming blackouts; and, robbery, deceit, and sexual politics, which are eventually rebuked in a mild way. GENRE: Drama B Ro O Pa LL V S A D M
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Valentin’s robbery is initially presented as clever, but he eventually tries to repay those he harmed. What is the difference between cleverness, remorse, and repentance?
2 Corinthians 7:10 · Luke 19:8The film suggests that romantic love needs a deeper spiritual commitment. What should make a relationship faithful and honoring to God?
Genesis 2:24 · 1 Corinthians 13:4–7Jane is directed to pray at the tomb of a dead saint. Why does Scripture direct prayer toward God rather than toward the dead?
Exodus 20:3 · 1 Timothy 2:5The film blurs sleep, dreams, and reality. Where can you turn when your own feelings or perceptions become uncertain?
Psalm 119:105 · James 1:5The Final Word
This is a beautifully directed, musically rich, highly entertaining French film with meaningful moral questions. Its occult elements and romantic confusion call for discernment, especially with younger viewers. For teenagers and adults prepared to think carefully, WORTH THE TRIP — AGES 13 AND UP.
