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Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Happiness Never Comes Alone

Latest News

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Other News

UK court seeks assurances from US over Julian Assange

The UK High Court of Justice has released a 66 page judgement seeking more information from the United States relating to Australian citizen Julian Assange, which it says it needs before deciding whether to grant the WikiLeaks founder leave to appeal his extradition.

Belongil Beach nude bathing

I am very concerned about the proposed revocation of legal clothing-optional beach use at Tyagarah. When I was last in...

Roller derby rocks the Cavanbah Centre

The Red Kennedys have once again dominated the Northern Rivers Revolt Roller Derby Tournament held at the Cavanbah Centre over the weekend of March 16-17.

Carrying and passing the torch

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Way of the dog

One of the more disappointing aspects of the decline of Byron Bay, and I have a long list, is...

Biz confidence up, says Business NSW

The state's peak body for business says confidence in the sector has increased but cost of living pressures continue to impact customer spending.

There will always be an enthusiastic audience that equates subtitles with sophistication. Lately, however, I have come to slot the French romantic comedy, with its lead man a gauche mixture of Mister Bean and Frank Spencer, into the no-go zone. It’s all a matter of what tickles your funny bone – I was surrounded by women who laughed like drains in the first half of this – but if slapstick that is composed of a klutz who jumps around a lot and a beautiful woman who falls over at the drop of a hat is not your café au lait you might struggle with this.

As a slow reader, and because film is essentially a visual medium, it took me a while to pick up the rhythm and, when I did, I was irritated by the sequence that introduces Sacha (Gad Elmaleh) to Charlotte (Sophie Marceau). It’s pouring with rain and both get drenched. Their eyes meet, she agrees to adjourn with him for a drink and, voila, they’re sitting in a cosy bar, neatly coiffed and in clothes previously soaking but now as dry as a bone. It’s only a movie, I had to remind myself – but really.

Sacha is a fabulous pianist at a happening Paris night spot. Women can’t resist him and, also like Charlie Sheen in Two And A Half Men, he makes a euro from writing advertising jingles. He’s not interested in settling down and he can’t stand kids – which is gratifying – but with buddy Laurent (Maurice Barthélémy) he’s working on a career-changing stage show.

L’amour conquers his world after the Charlotte incident. As a feminist, she is a dumb broad who is still under the thumb of the father of her children, from whom she’s been long separated. Of the kids, Sacha observes that one is a dead ringer for Philip Seymour Hoffman – it’s his best line. Professional ambition and emotional fulfilment come into happy alignment as the plot goes from threadbare to nauseating. Paris is beautiful, but we already knew that.

John Campbell

 

 


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Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

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Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

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Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

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