Joli Joli: Clara Luciani stars in a retro musical comedy

Joli Joli, a musical comedy directed by Diastème, starring Clara Luciani, William Lebghil and José Garcia, is among the films highlighted on Disney+ on June 6, 2026, as part of the platform’s daily selection announcement. This spotlight doesn’t necessarily correspond to a newly added entry in the catalog.

Joli Joli
Film | 2024
Theatrical release: December 25, 2024
Featured on Disney+: June 6, 2026
Musical comedy, romance | Runtime: 1h56
From Diastème | Screenplay: Diastème, Alex Beaupain
Starring Clara Luciani, William Lebghil, José Garcia
Nationality: France

From Paris to Rome in the 1970s, Joli Joli follows the meeting between a broke writer and an up-and-coming film actress. Their romance unfolds through farcical misunderstandings, twists, and musical numbers embedded in a deliberately retro aesthetic.

The film marks Clara Luciani's first major lead role on the big screen, opposite William Lebghil, José Garcia, Laura Felpin, Grégoire Ludig, and Vincent Dedienne. Diastème reunites with Alex Beaupain, handling the screenplay and the music, for a French musical comedy that nods to the 1970s, with studio setups, colorful sets, and a thwarted romance.

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Our take on Joli Joli

With Joli Joli, director Diastème serves up a seductive musical comedy that pulses to the rhythm of the 70s, bouncing between Paris and Rome. Clara Luciani, in her first major film role, shines beside William Lebghil and José Garcia in a poetic tableau where love, music, and nostalgia intertwine. In an era when the grand theatres on the Champs-Élysées feel like a distant memory, the film rekindles old-school magic with a self-assured retro aesthetic and a staging that pays tribute to genre classics.

Clara Luciani, known for her commanding voice and presence, delivers a pleasing surprise in the role of Lola, an emerging actress in 70s cinema. Her portrayal is soft, nuanced, and reveals a fragility that instantly endears her. Opposite her, William Lebghil plays a jaded writer with disarming honesty. Their duo, at once playful and melancholic, yields moments of tender, chemistry-filled scenes that recall old cinematic romances.

José Garcia, as a lovestruck and disillusioned producer, leaves a lasting impression. Already noted in dramatic comedies like Nous les Leroy, he brings here a more melancholic intensity. Supporting turns by Laura Felpin and Grégoire Ludig add warmth and wit, balancing drama and lightness with deft humor and genuine emotion.

The esthetic choice of Joli Joli is a love letter to 70s cinema. Under the art direction of set decorator Chloé Cambournac and costume designer Alexandra Charles, the meticulously crafted sets and vibrant costumes instantly plunge the film into a time when cinema meant splendor and excess.

The decision to shoot in studio, even for exteriors, gives the film a theatrical, dreamlike atmosphere that echoes Jacques Demy. Philippe Guilbert, head of cinematography, elevates every frame with subtle lighting and a chromatic palette that swings between dream and reality.

Each musical sequence unfolds like a living painting, with choreographies that occasionally skew classical while melding naturally into the narrative. Some numbers, though, feel somewhat surface-level, more decorative than truly narrative, toning down their emotional punch slightly.

French cinema rarely ventures into the delicate terrain of contemporary musical comedy, which makes Joli Joli all the more singular. Diastème dares to fuse razor-sharp dialogue with songs that can be either heart-rending or buoyant, while tackling universal themes like passion, ambition, and romantic heartbreak.

Some songs seem to exist for the sheer pleasure of musical aesthetics rather than to drive the story, occasionally creating a small rhythm hiccup. But this flaw is minor beside the film’s generosity and the sincere emotion it radiates.

Joli Joli is a burst of sweetness and nostalgia, an affectionate tribute to bygone musicals and the romantic cinema of the 70s. If a few numbers deserved a touch more narrative depth, the charm wins out thanks to engaged performances, meticulous art direction, and a delicately poetic direction.

A movie that warms hearts and reminds us that French musical cinema still has beautiful stories to tell.

To go further, also check out our picks of Disney+ releases for June, our guide to streaming launches across all platforms, and today’s hand-picked list of what to watch in streaming.