It's not always easy to choose from a selection of 35 titles. Some of them will have theatrical release in the coming weeks so i will watch them later on. Others are only good for the small screen so time should not be waisted. There is also a handful of titles that we know in advance will be definitely worth having a look.
Emmanuel Mouret is a 38 years old director who also plays in his own movies. Eric Rohmer influence on his work is visible from the first scene of any of his movies. Since year 2000, he has directed four. His fifth one has just been completed and is due to be released later this year.
"Shall we kiss?" aka "Un baiser s'il vous plait" is his latest opus.Like in his previous movies, love and relationship remains key elements in his exploration of thirty something lives of well behaved, well educated middle class men and women. The abundance of the dialogue may give the impression of a play however when it is well written, the whole experience is worthy of our time. Rohmer, Sacha Guitry, Marcel Pagnol all made movies with abundant dialogues, a tradition well kept in the French cinema. Mouret's observation of human relations is shown with the utmost simplicity and panache. He has good taste when it comes to romance. Marie Gilain, Fanny Valette and now Virginie Ledoyen have all felt in love with our romantic and idealist hero. The use of classical music (Schubert in "Shall we kiss?")adds the perfect touch of a harmonious comedy full of wit and intelligence. I am a huge fan of Emmanuel Mouret films. It takes some effort to accept a different type of filmmaking but once you are under the spell the rest is pure joy!
I have seen many kissing scenes over the years yet i never felt so engaged by the kiss scene at the end of this enchanting cinematic experience.
Jacques Mesrine was France's public enemy number one from the sixties until his assassination in the middle of the French capital in 1979. A two part movie directed by Jean-Francois Richet got released in 2008 obtaining a huge success by the press and the public alike. Four hours of packed action will impress anyone who likes thrillers. If part one may look repetitive, part two is truly and simply spectacular. It takes time to get used to the idea of almost liking a criminal whose ideas and charisma made him the most popular gangster of modern France.
Vincent Cassel is staggering in the leading role. He is without doubt the most gifted french actor of his generation. He can play anything and be reliable and convincing. Mesrine didn't know the meaning of the verb "surrender". A master of disguise and an assertive manipulator of high caliber, thirty years after his atroce end, he continues to fascinate.
Both movies are perfect examples to stop giving credits only to the Americans when it comes to fast heart beating action movies. For sure the American cinema is full of great thrillers but we should not underestimate productions of this genre from other countries including of course France. Few years back, i discovered another superb french thriller called "36 Quai des orfevres" starring Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu.
Speaking of Daniel Auteuil, i was very disappointed to see his talent totally wasted in a weak comedy known in english as "Me two". A stupid idea makes a stupid movie and even Daniel Auteuil can't save it!
However, thumbs up for the new comedy written and directed by Francis Veber. Born in 1937, Veber became in the seventies a well respected screenplay writer specializing in comedies. He wrote "L'emmerdeur" know in english as "A pain in the ass" in the early seventies for Edouard Molinaro, a popular french movie director. The movie was a big hit in those days allowing Jacques Brel to show his acting abilities specially in a comedy. Thirty five years later, Veber made a remake from his own screenplay and the result is even better than the original. We are guaranteed as always to spend a joyful time in company of his duo. This is i guess the biggest recipe of great comedies. Having two very opposite characters being together can definitely provide hilarious moments as well as well structured conflict.
Both Patrick Timsit and Richard Berry played "L'emmerdeur" at the theatre couple years ago. I always found Berry a fine performer who like Vincent Cassel can play any character and keep the whole thing authentic. Timsit however is your typical french comic actor who is obviously taking great pleasure of making his surrounding lives miserable. For a good laugh, "L'emmerdeur" is highly recommended.
Jean Becker is the son of legendary film maker, Jacques Becker. Born in the thirties, he made couple average comedies in the sixties before disappearing for two decades. In 1983, he directed Isabelle Adjani in "L'ete meurtrier" before disappearing again for another decade. Since 1995, he is back and is making interesting movies on regular basis. His latest "Deux jours a tuer" is a curious piece that keeps the viewer puzzled. We know from his previous movies, Becker likes to promote the simple life. He has a zen approach and little things have great importance for him. In this movie, he keeps a deep secret right to the end. A great way to show how we can be sensitive without risking a stereotype outlook. Again, when watching a new movie by Jean Becker, we know he will take us to a beautiful and sometime sad journey.
"Mes amis mes amours" is a french romantic comedy having London as the centre of the action. An average movie that has some funny scenes but the lack of surprises can play a overall negative role.
The biggest highlight of the festival was "Paris 36". I didn't watch it for the simple reason it will be released in May. However, i did miss out an opopportunity to meet it's leading actor, Gerard Jugnot who was a guest at the festival. It is a pity as i have always considered Jugnot as a talented artist who can be funny and touching and definitely a pleasure to see him performing.
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