Trust the French to breathe back some life into the dying art form that is the romantic comedy. As Priceless cheered us up all up a couple of years ago, this one does the same, except it’s warmer and much funnier, and beautifully played. I would say that Hollywood should take note, except they might misinterpret that and just do a remake, which, like most remakes of French films, would probably be a disaster.
It’s to the film’s great credit that it remains entertaining even though the plot is fully spelled out after about 10 minutes. The great Romain Duris plays Alex, a professional couple splitter. He is hired by friends and family of women who are with the wrong man – violent, narcissistic, stupid – to intervene, woo the women and make them realise they are worth more. He then departs with the gloriously cheesy line “it’s too late for me, but not for you”, and never sleeps with them – they leave their partner, job done.
In a very funny sequence we see how he does it, posing as all of the usual clichés, including a window cleaner – remember that soft drink ad? He pays attention to the women, is a perfect gent and also cheats – his backing team, a couple, find out what the lady likes, and he pretends to do the same.
Alex needs a big case fast for the money, and it comes along in the form of Juliette (Vanessa Paradis), a rich daughter who is determined, sharp and knows what she wants. She is engaged to an Englishman, Jonathan (Lincoln), but her father does not approve, so hires Alex to do his stuff. He follows her to Monte Carlo, where she is having a last weekend of fun before her wedding, and poses as her bodyguard. With the help of his team he saves her from a mugger, entertains her with her favourite music (George Michael) and Alex even learns the moves from her favourite film, Dirty Dancing. It’s all to no avail, as Juliette is a single-minded woman determined to marry Jonathan – not only that, but he seems to be Mr Perfect, having made his cash saving 10m kids from starvation. Jonathan is attentive, cultured and kind, so can Alex make Juliette fall for him instead, and will he fall for her? Well, duh.
It’s not the most original plot in the world, and not only does it share ideas with Priceless, which starred Audrey Tatou as a goldigger, it also shares the same set – Monte Carlo, in all of its bling glory. Yet somehow it all works because it never takes itself too seriously and always goes for the good gag. Alex learning the words to Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and the moves from Dirty Dancing is hilarious, and when he clears the dance floor in a deserted restaurant it’s pretty obvious what is coming. When he discovers that she loves Chopin he attends a concert, playing ‘air piano’, knowing that she is watching – another great gag.
Of course it’s predictable, and does go for the cliché a few times too often. Jonathan is a blank, whose dullness everyone can see apart from Juliette, and his parents are equally boring, especially his witch of a mother. The wedding scene at the end seems very under-written – she just leaves, and some of the characters don’t work either, the gag of the muscle chasing Alex becomes a bit weary, and the female half of his team, Julie Ferrier who was also in MicMacs, has an irritating screen presence. There is also a stock character in Juliette’s best friend, a nympho who jumps on Alex but never raises much of a laugh.
By romantic comedy standards though it is a million times better than most of the dross we’ve had this year, Leap Year and Happy Ever Afters being two particularly awful examples. The reason for that is a lively pace, a few good jokes and two great performances from the leads. We know all about what a fine actor Duris is, and he is clearly enjoying himself here as a gloriously cheesy Romeo with a way with the ladies. The relief at the end when he announces “I think Dirty Dancing is shit” is palpable. But what about Paradis – who would have thought that she could bring so many qualities to such a fluffy role? Touch, bright, vulnerable, cultured, sexy and funny, she is on great form as Juliette.
Overall verdict: Sunny romantic comedy that appeals as much to men as women, with some great moments and lots of smiles. Great fun.
Reviewer: Mike Martin
