Summary
After his arrest, small-time crook Gérard Louvier escapes from police custody by
stealing the clothes – and identity – of a high-profile judge. A journalist,
Julie Boucher, mistakes Louvier for the judge she intended to ask to investigate the suspicious
death of a man. Realising that Julie is offering him a ticket to freedom, Louvier
willingly accompanies her to her home in Nice. There, Julie’s domestic life
– which includes a cheating boyfriend and an ex-lover who won’t go away –
becomes more complicated when she discovers she is attracted to Louvier. Then she
discovers his real identity…
Review
Compared with some of Georges Lautner’s better known films, Est-ce
bien raisonnable? must rate as a pretty minor work, lacking the biting wit, energy
and sense of fun of Lautner’s earlier achievements. However, some spirited
performances from a talented cast just about make this an attractive and mildly entertaining
film. Miou-Miou and Gérard Lanvin work together surprisingly well, both bringing
a touch of humanity into a pretty ordinary storyline whilst subtly underplaying the comedy
to great effect. The slightly soporific nature of the film’s first half
is mercifully relieved by some familiar Lautner/Audiard comedy in the latter part of the
film – and things improve greatly when Michel Galabru enters the frame, assisted
by some cracking mother in-law-jokes.
© James Travers 2005
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© James Travers 2005
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Useful links
- Best French films of 2011
- Best French films of the 2000s
- Best of the French New Wave
- Best of French film comedy
- The best 100 French films
- The most successful French films
- Great French filmmakers
Related links
- The best French romantic comedies
- Other French films of the 1980s
- The best French films of the 1980s
- Other French romantic comedies
- Biography and films of Georges Lautner
To buy this film
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Credits
- Director: Georges Lautner
- Script: Michel Audiard, Jean-Marie Poiré
- Photo: Henri Decaë
- Music: Philippe Sarde
- Cast: Miou-Miou (Julie Boucher), Gérard Lanvin (Gérard Louvier), Michel Galabru (Emile Dugaineau, L’huissier), Renée Saint-Cyr (La veuve Bertillon), Henri Guybet (Daniel), Jean-Pierre Darroussin (Henri), Eva Harling (Eva), David Gabison (Le juge Bricard), Bernard Malaterre (Fernand), Franck-Olivier Bonnet (Le conducteur râleur), Philippe Castelli (L’appariteur), André Riquier (Le malfrat), Max Montavon (Le greffier), Julien Guiomar (Raymond Volfoni) Dominique Lavanant (La restauratrice)
- Country: France
- Language: French
- Runtime: 109 min
- Aka: Is This Really Reasonable?
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To buy Est-ce bien raisonnable?:

Comedy / Romance / Thriller






