Audrey Tautou: Vamping Amelie

In her new film, 'Priceless,' Audrey Tautou says au revoir to her pixie past and unleashes her inner sex bomb.

By Olivier de Bruyn et Sophie Grassin (courtesy of Premiere.fr)
Translation by Marcus Chang

Audrey Tautou was catapulted to international stardom in 2001 with the worldwide hit Amélie. Despite having appeared the World War II period drama A Very Long Engagement and opposite Tom Hanks in Dan Brown's thriller The Da Vinci Code since, the role of the sweet-yet-kooky Amélie Poulain has defined her in the minds of global audiences. In Pierre Salvadori's Priceless (Hors de Prix) she vamps up her image to one of sophisticated old-world allure with plunging neckline dresses and a lot more "ooh-la-la" sexiness. As Irène, she swans around the French Riviera in search of her next "catch" — wealthy older gents with a penchant for beautiful younger women. Then she beds a bartender (played by comedian Gad Elmaleh) under the impression he is rolling in dough. Upon discovering he's a lowly drink-slinger, she drops him. Smitten, he doggedly pursues her, eventually deciding to play her game and by infiltrating the jet set as a Don Juan for older women with too much time and money.

Here Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh (perhaps best known Stateside for The Valet) both admit to being big fans of Pierre Salvadori's previous work, and talk about how working with him on Priceless, a comedy that playfully touches on the blinding power of money and sentimental manipulation. Gad, emphasizing the ambiguity and finesse in Priceless, seems proud to have delivered to Salvadori what he expected: a comedic artist that adopts as much from the stars of silent film as from the techniques of Hollywood actors of the Golden Era.

What was your reaction when you learned that Pierre Salvadori wrote Priceless with you in mind?
Audrey Tautou: One day, I received a call from my agent who informed me that a screenwriter had written something with me in mind. "Would you like to know who it is?" she asked me. My response was no. In my mind I had dreamt of working with certain directors, and I didn't want to be disappointed. When later I learned that it was Pierre Salvadori I was more than delighted. I've always wanted to work with him. At the same time I was really stressed out because I wasn't sure if I would like it. But when I received the screenplay I breathed a sigh of relief.

Had you met Gad before working on this film?
AT: No, we had only exchanged glances at film award ceremonies.

What do you think of one another now?
Gad Elmaleh: I was aware of what Audrey represented to the public and in cinema, and I had a vague idea of how she no longer wished to be portrayed. When I read the screenplay, I understood where Pierre wanted to go with her for this role. I've never mentioned this to Audrey before, but I really do think that in Priceless, men are going to go crazy over her. She is beautiful, moving and sexy...

Audrey, how was it working with Gad?
AT: Well... working with Gad was one of the best things that could have happened to me. At the same time, I found myself a little intimidated.

GE: Yeah, me too. I'm embarrassed now...

AT: We're both very modest.

GE: To be honest, I had some reservations about working with Audrey. I said to myself: "She has such solidity as an actress. Will I be able to ride along with her in her success?"

AT: Working with Gad wasn't complicated. I can be extremely focused and easy-going at the same time. I do want to say one thing, and it's not merely to flatter you. When I saw Priceless, I thought you were exceptional in it, and everyone I was with thought the same.

GE: I really don't know what to say... When I saw the film, I was alone in a theatre, which is not the best way to enjoy a comedy. When the comedic scenes came on, I trembled, hoping that it was funny.

AT: Everyone was cracking up, I assure you.