41 year old Francois is being released from the Mental Hospital he was committed too when he suddenly lost his rag one day and threw a rather big tantrum. He should have been really happy as he had everything going for him, Anna a woman who loves him, two children from a previous marriage, and a beautiful apartment in Paris and no money worries. Now he’s a free man and cured as he will ever be and he wants his life back, but not everyone wants him back in their lives.
He stays with his 60 + father who has a Lothario complex and when he is not lining up the next string of women to seduce, insists of calling Francois his ‘little bunnie’ and offers to take him to his office all day so that he can sit in the corner and draw …. just like he did when he was 4 years old. His mother is a psychiatrist who will only see her son briefly in between her clients when she will ply him with food and money and then send him packing. His very best friend is a real self-centered diva and is always on the edge of nervous breakdown and is in far need of help than Francois or anyone else.
His only hope to retain any level of sanity and get a life back is to be with Anna, but she won’t risk taking him back. One bad attempt at wooing her misfires and he is re-committed to the Hospital again, and then just as you think he has absolutely no chance of winning her back, he pulls a real corker out of the bag.
This delightful gentle movie from newbie French director Yann Coridian is a wee joy. It’s not a laugh out loud comedy but wry romantic yarn that will have you grinning from ear to ear. Craggy faced Eric Elmosnino who picked up several awards (including a Cesar) for playing the lead in ‘Gainsbourg’, is enchanting as Francois who is no ‘madder’ than anyone else in his life, and the winsome Sophie Quinton, who I really loved in ‘Nobody Here But You’ last year, is his perfect foil as Anna.
Due out in movie theaters in France next month, so hopeful on an arthouse screen near you soon too.
★★★★★★★★
Labels: French, romantic comedy
