Merci Docteur Rey (2002)

Director:

Andrew Litvack

Writer:

Andrew Litvack (written by)

Release Date:

3 December 2003 (France)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A hot young phone sex addict and his narcissistic opera diva mom. A dangerously agitated hustler and...

Plot Keywords:

Hustler | Rent Boy | Psychiatrist | Turandot | Murder Witness

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Dianne Wiest	...	Elisabeth Beaumont
Jane Birkin	...	Pénélope
Stanislas Merhar	...	Thomas Beaumont
Bulle Ogier	...	Claude Sabrié
Karim Saleh	...	Murderer
Didier Flamand	...	Detective
Roschdy Zem	...	Taxi Driver
Nathalie Richard	...	Radio Interviewer
Dan Herzberg	...	Rollerboy
Jerry Hall	...	Sybil
Simon Callow	...	Bob
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Herself
Yousry Nasrallah	...	TV Interviewer
Canaan Marguerite	...	Gigolo #1
Olivier Augrond	...	Gigolo #2

Also Known As:

Merci Dr Rey! (UK)
Merci... Dr Rey! (France) (poster title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug use.

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

France | USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA (TV rating) | UK:15 | USA:R

Company:

Merchant Ivory Productions

Movie Connections:

Features Howards End (1992)

Soundtrack:

Cha Cha Cha d'amour

As Le Monde said in their review - if this film was a drink it would be Pink Champagne

I watched this film knowing going in that it was a French Farce with a stellar cast that have become synonymous with Merchant Ivory productions. I was laughing all the way through - its ham in place, camp in others, self deprecating and in many ways a complete parody of what you'd expect from Merchant Ivory.

Andrew Litvack the writer/director has come up with some cracking lines of dialogue on has put all his "low budget" on the screen. He pulls performances out of cast that befits a good comedy. Jane Birkin is neurotically funny, Jerry Hall proves she can act, Vanessa Redgrave is killer with one particular put down line delivered with expert self effacement at a crucial point in the story, Simon Callow does what he does best, Dianne Wiest is incredible as an Opera Diva and when she smokes a j with one of her Parisienne friends I giggle like a stoner, Stanislas Merhar playing her son, is mesmirisingly good looking and typically French in demeanour throughout - extracting some humour just facial expressions alone.

An English speaking film shot in France, directed by an American with some witty French dialogue added to the mix and this film is for all comers - the Merchant Ivory crowd will love the casting, the Opera crowd will love the costumes, the younger crowd will love the plot twists which keep you guessing.

Look out for the funniest visual gag in a movie that I've seen in a good while - it involves a dress that Jane Birkin wears. Its pure Gene Wilder. There's Woody Allenesque moments and a touch of Robert Altman - the use of Paris reminded me of his film Beyond Therapy - another good intelligent comedy. Loved it. Gonna learn French......