Mon meilleur ami (2006/I)

Director:

Patrice Leconte

Writers:

Olivier Dazat (idea)
Patrice Leconte (writer)

Release Date:

6 December 2006 (Italy)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

It takes a lifetime to learn the meaning of friendship...Francois has 10 days.

Plot:

Catherine, refuses to believe that her business partner, the unlikeable François, has a best friend, so she challenges him to set up an introduction. Scrambling to find someone willing to pose as his best pal, François enlists the services of a charming taxi driver to play the part.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Business | Partner | Friendship | Best Friend

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Daniel Auteuil	...	François
Dany Boon	...	Bruno
Julie Gayet	...	Catherine
Julie Durand	...	Louise
Jacques Mathou	...	Père Bruno
Marie Pillet	...	Mère Bruno
Élisabeth Bourgine	...	Julia (as Elizabeth Bourgine)
Henri Garcin	...	Delamotte
Jacques Spiesser	...	Letellier
Philippe du Janerand	...	Luc Lebinet
Fabienne Chaudat	...	Épouse Lebinet
Jean-François Kopf	...	Commissaire priseur
Alain Rimoux	...	Marchand dîner
Marc Faure	...	Ami dîner 1
Éric Frey	...	Ami dîner 2

Also Known As:

My Best Friend (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some strong language.

Runtime:

USA:90 min | USA:94 min | Canada:94 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | Argentina:94 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Ireland:12A | USA:PG-13 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:All | Australia:M | Germany:o.Al. | France:U | Sweden:Btl | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-3 | Singapore:PG | Peru:14 | Norway:10 (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Parc des Princes - 24 Rue du Commandant du Guilbaud, Paris 16, Paris, France

Company:

Fidélité Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: When François and Louise sit in Bruno's taxi, during a cut showing the passengers the taxi is moving, but in the cuts before and after (showing the driver) the same cars can be seen parked on the side as if the taxi was standing still in between.

Quotes:

Bruno: Are you married?
François: I am. But she isn't so much any more!

Movie Connections:

Features "Qui veut gagner des millions?" (2000)

Soundtrack:

Le canon de la Nation

A delightful, introspective French film!

Patrice Leconte's "Mon Meilleur Ami" (My Best Friend), as the title suggests, is all about friendship. Real friendship.

Francois (French star Daniel Auteuil) is a middle-aged Parisian with everything you could ever want - a rewarding job as an antique dealer, a stylish flat, a loving girlfriend, and a teenage daughter. What he doesn't realize, but soon brutally learns, is that he doesn't have any true friends!

The bet is made. Francois has 10 days to come up with a best friend to show off to his colleagues. If he doesn't, he will lose his newly acquired antique Greek vase. And so, the search begins. What we witness is a hilarious quest to find true friends, one that resonates well in real life. As Francois rides through Paris in search of his bet-winning friend, he encounters a trivia-know-it-all cab driver, Bruno (captivating Dany Boon). As the two meet over and over again in comical situations, we begin to wonder, did Francois finally meet his new best friend?

It's fascinating to watch these charming characters go through these experiences with friendship, something that we have all gone through. You will go through a whole range of emotions as you watch this film, laughter, shock, sadness. But in the end, this film reminds us what is really important in life - our relationships with people.

This film reminds of "Le Diner de Cons" with the great Jacques Villeret, and as that film, this one has something for everyone. I strongly recommend you to see it!

(My review is from the world premiere on September 12th, 2006 at the Toronto International Film Festival.)