Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Daniel Auteuil | ... |
Antoine Letoux
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José Garcia | ... | ||
Sandrine Kiberlain | ... | ||
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Marilyne Canto | ... | |
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Michèle Moretti | ... |
Martine
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Garance Clavel | ... |
Karine
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Fabio Zenoni | ... |
André
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Jocelyne Desverchère | ... |
Sandrine the Florist
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Didier Menin | ... |
Man at Thai Restaurant
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Jean-Claude Lecas | ... |
Cook
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Blandine Pélissier | ... |
Nurse
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Jean-Charles Dumay | ... |
Serge the Sommelier
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Ange Ruzé | ... |
Young Waiter
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Élise Otzenberger | ... |
Hairdresser
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Jean-Luc Abel | ... |
The Inspector
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Antoine is a maitre d' in a Paris brasserie, Chez Jean, and is so full of being of service to others that he can't say 'no'. Late for dinner with his girlfriend, Christine, he takes a shortcut home through the park but finds a stranger, Louis, in the act of committing suicide by hanging. Louis is distraught by the loss of his girlfriend, Blanche, and is so grateful that he attaches himself to Antoine. Antoine arranges a job for Louis - as a sommelier at Chez Jean and sets about trying to repair Louis' life... Written by johnno.r@xtra.co.nz
If you have a mind that is not mush from explosion, gun and alien movies, this will assure you that great cinema is still possible.
The writing is fantastic and so nimble that your mind dances a duet with the production. Twists and turns and planting/payoff of clues is done with excellent timing, always assuming that the audience has functioning brains. Humor and love mix a great cocktail in this Cyrano-esquire beauty of a film. Nice not to be insulted with the obvious or with over explanation.
The acting? To watch M. Auteuil's face go through its paces in any one scene is to watch genius portraying human character with such understanding and subtlety that we cannot miss a great part of the story that would, in another actor's hands, be obscured. M. Garcia is a great and pleasurable surprise for me; I hope you have seen him in other flix; I will look for him.
Ah, the directing. Such a perfect grasp of timing!! Not too fast or slow and always attentive to bringing out the best of the great writing and actors.
Did I say I liked it? Yup. Even for fans of Auteuil, this is an all time great. See it!!