Associations, Palpitations
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Here's a memo from the Dept. of Embarrassing Admissions:
Lately, I've been obsessing over the unquestionably delectable Louise Bourgoin - a young French actress who earned a Cesar nomination last year as best newcomer for her debut feature-film performance in writer-director Anne Fontaine's prickly mix of comedy, drama, thriller and romance "The Girl from Monaco." And now, in one of those strange musical associations that our brains occasionally make, Bourgoin is inexorably linked to the song "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn & John. Every time I hear that number by the Swedish alt-rockers, I will think of Bourgoin in all her fetching glory. Confused? Let me explain.
Firstly, the movie, which was made in 2008 but was just released in the United States, knocked me out. Bourgoin plays a nubile weather girl on a Monaco TV channel. The character's sex appeal and heedless hedonism distract a fussy, middle-aged Parisian lawyer (the deft French actor Fabrice Luchini) from concentrating on a high-profile murder trial when she comes onto him; and her interference subsequently infuriates his taciturn, knowing bodyguard (Roschdy Zem).
The Lovely Louise
I was so impressed and, yes, seduced by Bourgoin in the role that I decided to do a little research on her. I learned that she was already well-known in France previous to her appearence in "The Girl from Monaco." In fact, she was the weather girl on the nightly, high-profile Canal Plus news program/talk show "Le Grand Journal" for a few years until she left the gig in late 2008.
Weather girl? Type-casting, you say? I hit YouTube and checked out some clips. What I found was a very pretty, very clever, well-spoken, often funny TV presenter who handled the weather report with aplomb, but also hosted the program's new-books segment, and easily bantered with guests including renowned politicians, actors, and musicians. She also appeared in various satirical sketches wherein she impersonated, among others, France's smug first lady (and former pop singer) Carla Bruni, pretentious French actress Arielle Dombasle, and even ex-Alaskan governor/failed vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
For the first year or so, the music that accompanied Bourgoin's entrance onto the set was usually Peter, Bjorn & John's "Young Folks." So forgive me if my pulse now races when the first couple of bars of "Young Folks" reach my ears. I mean, seriously, Bourgoin is hot. As you will see in the video clip below, the production team on "Le Grand Journal" knew exactly what they had with her, zooming in on her magnificent derrière as she purposefully walks to her chair on the panel. (Ah, her walk. Like a symphony.) There are usually cutaways to the guests as she heads in their general direction or engages them in chat - some of the men wide-eyed and enraptured, others amused or simply charmed, with the women's attitudes ranging from support to wariness to envy.
In any event, Bourgoin is no longer on "Le Grand Journal," having decided to concentrate on her acting career. I will go on record as saying that her replacement is pleasant enough but doesn't quite measure up. Recent news suggests that Bourgoin is going to play iconic sex-kitten Brigitte Bardot in a bio-pic about legendary French singer-songwriter-swain Serge Gainsbourg. I do believe I'd pay to see that. Until then, there's always another showing of "The Girl from Monaco" - and all those YouTube vids.
Comments (23)
It's funny how songs can get linked and never lose that connotation. Interesting story, I have not heard of her nor of the film, but I'll try and dig it up from somewhere, or at least try and follow the upcoming film about Bardot. ;)
Omg, she is GORGEOUS! She could be a model. Not heard of her but I will definitely look for that film. Thanks for the headsup on her.
that's quite a dress for a weather girl
perhaps palin wore something similar as a sportscaster?!
I can see her doing a Palin impression. Gee Mike, I hope you are not married, or your wife is gonna be pissed!
Stratosphere Dept.: What traits did her current guy have that convinced her to say yes to their first date?
mike is smitten
So am I after that review!
I could follow that mouth around until I am once again fluent in French. And you can now picture her saying to you, "I will go along with someone like you." ;)
mmmmmmmm..........gives me something to dream about tonight Mike
SA: I think you will find it time well spent.
August: Yes. Quite a beauty - and mega-magnetic. She makes me proud to be a human. ;-)
Neil: One thing's fer sure. Louise is a much brighter, better-spoken person than Wasilla Pill. And that dress? Wow. And that's just one look of a plethora, many visible on YouTube.
MusicRX: Unmarried, and breathing - heavily. (BTW, her Palin impression is on YouTube, naturally.)
Spike: If I knew, I'd adopt those traits, sharpen them and make a run.
inrumford: Well, duh!
Oatmeal: Get in line, brother!
Dale: Seconded, thirded, fourth, etc.
Rawk: Boy howdy, you ain't kiddin'!
Curious. Curious indeed.
p-wagz: The ways of the human endocrine system?
Well, that, and the gorgeous woman herself. I was actually going to note something along those lines, but couldn't think of an appropriate way to state them. Yes, the "human endocrine system" will do very nicely.
I'm with Dale on this one. When you hear her speaking, especially french, things start falling away.
We're like a bunch of boys in the high school lunchroom talking about the senior hottie. LOL
Blissfully painfully true, p-wagz!
I'd say something but I'm too busy cleaning the drool off my keyboard. Who knew walking could be so....so....so......
She makes me feel like the pervy-lookin' dude in the raincoat....
Jonh: ...so mobilizing?
ivy: Pervy is as pervy does. (heh heh)
BTW, I noticed that there isn't a single woman on this thread. I just hope that my ardor hasn't somehow offended any trusted and respected female MOGgers. Not that they could ever measure up to Louise. Whoops. My bad.
I'm the only girl in the thread here ahahhahahaha
Breath-taking dress! I like her more in the video than I do in the picture, less make up and all that. The dress doesn't do harm either ahahhaha
Good choice, Mike. You two would look good together! :)
Anna: Are you saying we'd look good on the dance floor?
Mes oui!
(and that would be the full extent of my French)
As I like to say, it's tres bon to do it the French way.