How would you like a trip to France, from the comfort of your own home?

The 28th French Film Festival starts 8th March in Melbourne, so in the lead up, I have put together a package of five magnifique French movies for you to watch at home to whet your appetite.

Be warned: French movies can become addictive! Since travelling to France in 2010, my husband and I, who are total cinephile’s, have become totally obsessed to French movies, taking us back to places we visited, and the marvelous experience, and romance France has to offer.

So, it’s time to travel to France with me, via French movies. Sit back, sipping French champagne, and enjoy a French experience, from the coziness of your own home, très bien.

The Intouchables (2011)

Staring François Cluzet and Omar Sy.

Photo: youtube.com

My favourite French movie of all time. Luckily this movie was in subtitles, as my friend Tracey, (Comedy Festival Article), and I didn’t hear a word of it over my husband Simon’s laughter. A movie you could watch many times.

Based on a true story of two men, who should never have met. A quadriplegic aristocrat (Cluzet) who was injured in a paragliding accident and a young man (Sy) from the projects, who is hired to be his caregiver.

A delightfully funny and beautiful movie of acceptance and friendship.

And if you are an Earth, Wind and Fire fan like me, you will love the music.

Little White Lies (2010)

Staring Francoise Cluzet and Marion Cotillard

Photo: chinokino.com

A French comedy-drama, set during the annual holiday of a group of friends. While a near-fatal accident leaves one of the group in hospital, their personal secrets and grief threatens their friendships.

While they are at the beach house, we become familiar with the interlocking loves and jealousies, infidelities and compromises of these forty-somethings who tap-dance around many things left unsaid.

Max’s (Cluzet) character is extremely angry over anything and will have you laughing until you have face ache. Another French movie you will watch, and laugh many times.

Amélie (2001)

Staring Audrey Tautou

Photo: miramax.com

In this French romantic comedy, Amélie (Tatou) is a story about an innocent and naive girl in Paris, whose childhood was suppressed by her father’s mistaken concerns of a heart defect. With her own sense of justice, she decides to help those around her and discovers love along the way.

A gorgeous, light hearted, feel good French movie, set in Montmarte, Paris. Audrey Tautou plays an extremely charming role as Amélie.

Amour (2012)

Won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film

Starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva and Isabelle Huppert

Photo: uk.pinterest.com

Amour is a French romantic drama film, and is not recommended for the faint hearted, as it can be viewed as a depressing and confronting movie about death. Many critics have written they almost didn’t make it through Amour, and I must admit, my own husband didn’t.

So why do I love this movie? I have watched it three times, and was simply fascinated by the range of emotions produced by this movie. This could happen to any of us.

The story is of George, (Trintignant) and Anne (Riva), retired and cultivated music teachers. They were happy, until the day Anne has a stroke, which completely tests the couples bond and love.

La Vie En Rose (2007)

Starring Marion Cotillard

Photo: youtube.com

A brilliant performance by Marion Cotillard, who went on to win an Oscar for the best actress for her role in this movie. She was the first French woman to win an Academy Award.

A biographical film of the iconic French singer Edith Piaf.

Raised by her grandmother in a brothel, Edith was discovered while singing on a street corner at the age of 19.

Edith Piaf, cabaret singer, songwriter and actress, became, and still is today, one of France’s greatest international stars.

Despite her success, Piaf's life was filled with drugs, and tragedy.

As far as French actors, you can see above a theme of Audrey Tautou, Francoise Cluzet and Marion Cotillard are my favourite actors, who if you google, will lead you to more outstanding French movies.

I saw the movie Allied recently, starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard, who stole the show with another outstanding performance.