René Vidal (Jean-Pierre Léaud) is an aging French director remaking a classic silent film, Les Vampires. He controversially casts Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung (Maggie Cheung) in the lead role of Irma Vep. Maggie is game for the experience, despite not speaking French, but she cannot compete with a chaotic production. Vidal fights with his cinematographer (Bernard Nissile), the production manager (Dominique Fasse) hates the costumer, Zoé (Nathalie Richard), Zoé is half in love with Maggie, and everyone is constantly bitching about better jobs they've had.
This is a movie about making movies and that's probably why it's so highly regarded by movie makers. As an outsider, this movie is terrible. Like, not even the petty drama is entertaining. Cheung is much better than this film, and it lets her down at every turn. The weirdest part is that it's being remade into a miniseries starring Alicia Vikander this year. I have no idea why. Who asked for this?
One of my cardinal sins is when movies show clips from better movies. Just watch Les Vampires. Matter of fact, go watch Heroic Trio. Don't watch Irma Vep. It's streaming on the Criterion Channel which is another decision I just don't understand.
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