Priceless (2006)

Through a set of wacky circumstances, a young gold digger mistakenly woos a mild-mannered bartender, thinking he's a wealthy suitor.

Director:

Pierre Salvadori

Writers:

Pierre Salvadori (scenario), Benoît Graffin (scenario)

Stars:

Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh, Marie-Christine Adam

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Audrey Tautou	...	Irène
Gad Elmaleh	...	Jean
Marie-Christine Adam	...	Madeleine
Vernon Dobtcheff	...	Jacques
Jacques Spiesser	...	Gilles
Annelise Hesme	...	Agnès
Charlotte Vermeil	...	Dame au chihuahua
Claudine Baschet	...	Dame au dogue
Laurent Claret	...	Responsable bar Biarritz
Jean de Coninck	...	L'homme au cigare
Blandine Pélissier	...	La femme de chambre
Philippe Vendan-Borin	...	Serveur restaurant Biarritz
Bernard Bourdeau	...	Collègue Jean Biarritz
Didier Brice	...	François
Laurent Mouton	...	Serveur café François

Storyline

In Biarritz with her elderly provider to celebrate her birthday, Irene slips down to the hotel bar when he falls asleep on her. She mistakes barman Jean for a well-healed guest and he encourages the deceit by taking her up to the Royal Suite for the night. A year later the same thing happens but this time her lover finds out and disowns her. Now knowing Jean is indeed a barman of little means doesn't stop her from continuing to live in style until his money is gone. He soon finds himself in Irene's business with older and worldly-wise Madeleine, and though Irene also takes up with a new paramour the two of them keep in increasingly close touch.

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Plot Keywords:

money | birthday | gold digger | bartender | knickers | 

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Taglines:

She only dated men with money...until she met a man with a heart

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content including nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site TFM Distribution [France]

Country:

France

Language:

French English

Release Date:

11 April 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Priceless

Filming Locations:

Hôtel du Palais, 1 Avenue de l'Impératrice, Biarritz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France

Box Office

Budget:

EUR11,700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$116,308, 30 March 2008

Gross USA:

$2,165,188

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$28,041,861

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Pelléas, France 2 Cinéma, Tovo Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During a French TV show, the actress and singer Marie Laforêt announced her participation in the film, but in the end, she did not appear in it.

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Quotes

Irène: I love Italian food. You don't expect much, so you can never be disappointed.

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Connections

References Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

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Soundtracks

Brother Where Are You
Performed by Oscar Brown Jr.
(Matthew Herbert Remix)
(Oscar Brown Jr.)
© Prestige Music Ltd
(P) 2003 The Verve Music Group
With the kind authorization of Universal Music Special Projects

User Reviews

A Nutshell Review: Priceless

Transportation S$3.00 Movie Ticket S$9.00 Fried Chicken S$3.80 A Good Movie That Entertains? Priceless.

Directed by Pierre Salvadori, Pricess is one heck of a delightful gem. It is playful, cheeky, and boasts excellent chemistry between its leads, which is crucial to pull off a romantic comedy so dependent on their banter and interaction.

Audrey Tautou plays Irene, a high maintenance gold digging prostitute who flits from one elderly man to another, in the hopes of seducing and convincing them into marriage, while in the meantime milking all she could from their company. It's haute fashion label dropping, living the high life in expensive hotel suites, for free. In an uncontrollable one night stand, she hooks up with waiter Jean (Gad Elmaleh), who while is totally out of her league, falls hard for her, and becomes a constant thorn in her side as she goes about her mission in life.

Not your usual romance movie where the bickering couple are expected to kiss, make up, and bicker some more, Priceless does two things in its narrative. One, in its reminder to the male suckers out there to be wary of high maintenance women - if you don't have what it takes (and that simply means a really fat bankroll), forget about it, as she'll drain your finances as simply as it takes to gulp down a glass of water. Two, perhaps it really does pay for those who are kept men and women, if they don't mind trading their bodies for material pleasures that a rich life can offer.

And from adversaries to partners in crime, Priceless sprinkles its narrative with scenes like from The Guru, where tips and tricks of the trade are shared, and played for laughs. And this is especially so with Jean's natural charms mixed with Mr Bean like demeanor. Kudos actually to actor Gad Elmaleh, who throws this constant innocent blank look, when he's hamming it up pretending to be loaded, or practising turning on his charms (consciously or otherwise). He brings to Jean a sense of helplessness in falling for the woman of his dreams much against his finances, and gives Jean that chivalrous character that will surely win many over.

Fans of Audrey Tautou will reminisce her portrayal as Irene to be similar to the quirky Amelie, only that this time round, she's the complete slut whom you pity for having such a materialistic nature. Her plunging necklines all the way down to the navel will no doubt raise temperatures, and while noticeably older, has brought about a sense of maturity from giggling girl to all woman.

Peppered with an excellent soundtrack, the best songs were kept for a party scene, and for as many party scenes featured in various movies, I'd rate this one as one of the most interesting, thanks to the key music, characters, and the scene that plays out just right. With so many elements working in its favour, I'd rate this as a contender for the top movies of this year. Don't let this movie slip pass you in this crowded blockbuster summer!