Credits: Quentin Cadot / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 4.0.
Tahar Rahim, the chameleon actor we know for his standout roles in A Prophet and The Prey, is back this time in the skin of… Charles Aznavour. Yes, you read that right. In the biopic Monsieur Aznavour, directed by Grand Corps Malade and Mehdi Idir, Rahim takes on a monumental challenge: portraying the legend of French chanson. And this isn’t just a matter of wigs or fake mustaches. It’s much more than that.
Stepping Into Aznavour’s Shoes, Quite an Art
To become Aznavour, Tahar Rahim did not skimp on the transformation. Wig, prosthetics, and even a fake nose (yes, a fake nose, ladies and gentlemen!). And yet all of that was just the surface. Rahim went much further. He studied the gestures, the facial expressions, and even the singer’s voice. We’re talking about an actor who, as meticulous as we know him to be, even went so far as to sing some of the songs in the film himself. Because, well, why settle for pretending when you can actually become the icon?
“There was a moment when I told myself, ‘I’ll never pull this off,’” he admits. And we get it! But after six months of intensive training, the actor ended up feeling old Charles whispering in his ear. And then, magic: Rahim was Aznavour.
Aznavour and Rahim: An Unexpected Duo
At first, the idea of playing Aznavour seemed far-fetched to Tahar Rahim himself. “I wasn’t offered this role at first,” he says. And guess who whispered in his ear to take it? His wife, Leïla Bekhti. Yes, Mrs. Rahim saw what her husband still couldn’t. And she was right. Because by diving into the Armenian icon’s life, Rahim discovered similarities he never would have suspected.
Just like Aznavour, Tahar has that fierce determination, that drive to see things through to the end. But where Aznavour sacrificed everything for his career, Rahim remains firmly attached to his family. And if the two men have one thing in common, it’s that nervous impatience. You know, that slightly fast, restless way of moving, as if there’s never enough time. Rahim even says that while watching a documentary about Aznavour, he recognized himself in that nervous tic. And that’s when the magic started to happen.
Too Perfect to Be True?
Tahar Rahim’s performance in the first part of the film is so flawless that you sometimes wonder whether you’re still watching Aznavour or just Rahim imitating Aznavour. Indeed, after perfecting every detail, the actor transports us into a world where the performance seems almost too polished. For some viewers, it’s a bit disorienting.
But it’s in the second half of the film that Rahim truly lets the mask slip (and, literally, the fake nose). As Aznavour ages and accepts his imperfections, Rahim loosens his performance, becoming more human, more vulnerable. That’s where the character’s emotional truth emerges, and it’s at that moment that the actor truly reaches his audience.
The Aznavour Who Yelled At the Kids
What’s more, this transformation didn’t come without side effects on the actor’s personal life. Tahar Rahim admits, with no shortage of humor, that the role had so completely taken over his life that he “was Aznavour all the time, even at home.” So much so that Leïla Bekhti sent the directors a playful message: “I can’t take Charles Aznavour yelling at the kids from the other end of the apartment anymore!” Apparently, Dad Aznavour was a little stricter than expected.
But once filming wrapped, Rahim was able to leave the singer’s character behind. No identity crisis in sight. Still, something tells us we haven’t heard the last of this performance.
On the Road to the César Awards?
If Tahar Rahim’s performance in Monsieur Aznavour makes as much noise as predicted, odds are we’ll see him on the César Awards red carpet. After all, portraying a legend doesn’t come around every day. And Rahim, with his discipline and talent, rose to the challenge with flying colors.
One thing is certain: Tahar Rahim isn’t done surprising us, whether with a fake nose or simply with his immense acting talent. As for us, we can only applaud and wait to see what he has in store next.