French Film (2008)

British films have a certain flavor of sophistication even when they are dealing with stories about Brits in their long time foes - the French! Aschlin Ditta came up with this little story that is subtle, thought provoking, and warmly humorous as directed by Jackie Oudney and acted by a superb cast - a film that engages the audience's own life and relationships.Jed (Hugh Bonneville) has been in a ten year relationship with Cheryl (Victoria Hamilton), plans to marry her, but discover they don't love each other after all. Jed is a magazine feature writer who, as the movie opens, is grumbling about his upcoming interview with a fatuous French cineaste and love guru Thierry Grimaldi (ex-soccer player Eric Cantona) whose theories about love Hugh finds ludicrous...and overly 'French'. Jed's best friend Marcus (Douglas Henshall) madly loves his girlfriend Sophie (Anne-Marie Duff), or so he says, before a chance encounter with his first love of 20 years before. Marcus wants to run off to Paris to marry her, leaving Sophie behind, loveless and forlorn. Of course it all works out for the best, but it is the getting there as acted out by these fine thespians that make the film a joy. Subtlety, innuendos, and halting conversations make this an adult romantic comedy able to carry enough weight to make is significant entertainment. Grady Harp

Rare in these days that a film of this depth was successfully made - while still being funny, which will throw some people off because they will assume it's just a frothy romantic comedy with a few pertinent things to say. It even gets better with each successive viewing - which makes a DVD purchase a must for those who understand why this film received two awards at Monte Carlo (for Best Actor and Best Screenplay). May be too subtle for some who are looking for a broad stroke - but it is laughing out loud funny in many parts (if you get the complexity) due to the writing, directing and excellent ensemble cast. They all do well but of special note is Hugh Bonneville (who won for Best Actor at Monte Carlo) as the lead character Jed. Douglas Henshall is his best friend Marcus and Anne-Marie Duff and Victoria Hamilton are the girlfriends.

Eric is great. Eric is just playing Eric. The rest is truly bad. What happened to the British film making fraternity that it assumes that everyone is interested in the middle class creative's life? No.. only they are.. that is why this wasn't a hit because nobody else cares. The interminable snowball of emotional layer cake that formulates these films stifles any real achievements with dialogue or characterisation and swallows it up with the cheesy endings. This stuff belongs on ITV on a Sunday night and nowhere else.What is a shame about this film is that it could have been interesting, it could have had an idea but it leaves it behind and tries to become Notting Four Weddings and a Hill. Please go away.. watch Hunger... and come back and try again. But please.. until you can get rid of the 'rom-com' fixation.. do not.. I repeat.. do not.. see me!

What starts out as a frustrating to watch romantic comedy grew on me as I realized that the frustration was from a sensation of intensely identifying with the story.Sure it is a bit wordy and perhaps navel, but so are we. In our intellectual approach to living our so called perfect urban lives. Hugh Bonneville is funny and believable and the character I gravitated towards. Eric Cantona is a bit stiff, but pulls of the role and the chicks love him. This will play best with 30 something women as a hangover pull your feet up, giggle and reflect kind of film.