An oddly lovable film about a subject as somber as transsexuality, Alain Berliner’s Ma Vie En Rose (My Life in Pink ) is an engrossing fairy tale like movie about Ludovic , (Georges DuFresne ) a seven year old delectable boy, who wishes to swap from the blue for boy, to the pink for princess way of life - Yes, Ludo a lovely little boy with his delicate petite form, rounded soft eyes, and curving black hair - whirls to girly numbers, role-models Pam (a female replica of Barbie), loves to put on ear-rings, and wants to marry the boy next door!

His parents Hanna (Michele Laroque) and Pierre (Jean-Philippe Ecoffe) are benignly supportive and give Ludo the childhood benefit of growing up and out of his princess dress - but life’s not so gracious in their lovely new neighborhood. They’re quickly astounded when Ludo’s rosy tendencies are responded to by hostile glances, mocking concern and nasty abandon. The family goes through a perplexing dilemma for little Ludo who innocently believes that he is in fact only a temporary “girl-boy” whose chromosomes have been accidentally misplaced by God - a scientific error that shall soon be fixed.

Ludo’s suburban neighborhood, brimming with a gregarious lot of sundry faces and amiable smiles turn their backs on him and his family when Ludo socially displays his ingrained antics – be it daubing on some lipstick and slipping into a skirt for the community party; or stealing the role of Snow White at a stage play, only to win the sweet kiss of his own prince charming. Horrid stares and crass remarks go darting towards Ludo’s flustered family, (a winsome bunch of three “normal” kids, a delicate Ludo and a perfect pair of parents) who deal with all the surrounding hullabaloo in full genuineness - Hanna, Ludo’s pert mama makes life for her cherubic boy a lot easier with her warmth and charm. She makes those chilly remarks and plagued surroundings seem tolerable. While Pierre alternatively plays the orthodox but likeable dad who holds Ludo’s hand in protective concern, albeit with the hard clasp of subdued exasperation. The scheme of things eventually reach a point where Ludo’s alarming tendency leads to his expulsion from school, and his sincere love for Jerome (son of Pierre’s fat, grouchy boss) costs Pierre his job -  The consequent maze of helpless conflicts makes the otherwise suave mum lose her calm as she becomes unpleasant and cold to Ludo, while Pierre sensitively switches roles from that of a restrained father to guiltless Ludo’s comforting ally.

Ludo, on the other hand never clearly comprehends what the fuss is all about - his affinities are only natural to him! The uncomfortable grimaces his actions attract from folks around come across as strangely unnatural and unwarranted to Ludo, who genuinely believes that he is a part of the girl clan. Thus, when the world around goes frenziedly against him, Ludo seeks refuge in the chimerical Pam who comes to his rescue with her feminine grace and understanding; and in maternal grandma Elisabeth (Helene Vincent) an easy going, spectacular woman who joins him in his princess gambol and gives him a breath of acquitting air.

So what does one feel like while watching this impressively crafted film?

Your heart goes out to the sad struggle that Ludo’s parents are put through. Should they bind him with the ropes of the world and force him into those boyish pants, or leave him with the freedom of being comfortable in his own clothes? You simply adore Grandmom Elisabeth, who strides into the film with her age-defiant spirit as comforting buddy to Ludo, and leaves you enchanted with her vivacity, even if only for a few fleeting moments; And you really want to touch Ludo’s angelic face, brush his soft hair back and tell him that it will all be alright. 

Ma Vie En Rose ’s sensitive stand on sexual typecasts is scripted in colorful style, to cleverly demonstrate the discrepancies of an unsparing society. But the harsh and critically significant subjects of this story are to be had with first time director Berliner’s sweet rations that come in the middle of the entire puzzlement. Delightful intrusions of rainbow colored fantasies, family dances to disco songs, and noisy neighborhood gatherings make the film a lyrical luxury inundated with humanistic warmth and dazzling dreaminess. Even so it is Georges DuFresne as Ludo who makes this oddball realistic drama a crowd pleasing extravagance. In the honorable attempt of respecting diversity in identity, it is this little Ludo’s unsmiling certainty, innocent insistence and unpretentious disposition that brings into us the natural desire to go with one’s heart and give Ludo his essential right to individuality. A gleaming casket of first-rate performances, picture-perfect cinematography and realistic circumstances, My Life in Pink is a cinematic must watch and a heartfelt directorial debut by Berliner .

Misplaced Chromosomes - A scene that wonderfully portrays Ludo’s confusion, innocence and dreams

          0 votes