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Barbara is a 2017 French film directed by Mathieu Amalric and starring Jeanne Balibar in the titular role. The film tells the story of a famous but temperamental singer named Barbara who is preparing for her return to the stage after a long hiatus. The film is set in the present day, but it is also a sort of tribute to the real-life French singer Barbara who was popular during the 1960s and 70s.

Jeanne Balibar delivers a powerful performance as Barbara, who is shown to be a fiercely independent and uncompromising artist. Her reclusive and mysterious personality has always been part of her public persona, but now that she is about to stage a comeback, her manager decides to hire a young journalist named Yves (played by Mathieu Amalric) to write an article about her. As Barbara and Yves spend time together, they both find themselves fascinated by each other's lives and begin to develop a deeper connection.

The film is beautifully shot and captures the spirit of Barbara's music and stage performances. There are many scenes of her rehearsing and singing, which are a joy to watch. The film also uses flashbacks and dream sequences to explore Barbara's past and her relationships with various people in her life. We see her struggling with the demands of fame and her desire to maintain her artistic integrity, as well as her complicated romantic relationships.

Vincent Peirani also delivers a fantastic performance as Michel, a musician who becomes involved with Barbara both professionally and romantically. Their relationship is complex and fraught with tension, and Peirani does an excellent job of portraying Michel's conflicting emotions towards Barbara.

One of the most impressive things about Barbara is the way that it manages to balance the fictional story of Barbara with the real-life story of the singer. The film is not a biopic in the traditional sense, but it does incorporate many elements of Barbara's life and music into the story. This adds a layer of depth to the film and makes it a more authentic representation of the singer's legacy.

Overall, Barbara is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film that explores the life of a fascinating and enigmatic artist. It is a tribute to the real-life Barbara and her music, but it is also a unique and compelling story in its own right. The performances are all excellent, and the film is a must-see for anyone who is a fan of French cinema or music.

Barbara is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 68.