Les Clés du paradis (1991) - film review

Despite his success as a writer, Gaspard is bored with his life and, thanks to his ex-wife’s over-generous alimony, is facing financial ruin.  In an attempt to recharge his batteries and escape from his latest amorous entanglement, he visits his brother Paul in Brittany.  Paul has problems of his own: he is soon to lose his job as a teacher and his marriage is heading for the rocks.  On a whim, the two brothers decide to swap lives: Paul will become the womanising writer, Gaspard the hapless down-trodden school teacher.  To the surprise of both men, the exchange proves to be extraordinarily beneficial…

Gérard Jugnot and Pierre Arditi just about manage to save this tired and predictable comedy, their well-judged, sympathetic performances lending a sense of depth and sophistication which is plainly absent from the bland script.  Clearly one of Philippe de Broca’s weaker films, the energy and engaging comedy of the director’s earlier films are painfully absent, and the overall result is ponderous and lacklustre, but not entirely unsatisfying.  Pierre Arditi, who is associated with a more sophisticated strand of comedy (notably that of Alain Resnais) is amusing as the disillusioned Don Juan, and works surprisingly well alongside Gérard Jugnot, who, as ever, gives great value in this kind of bitter-sweet comedy.  Alas, the rest of the cast contribute very little, other than to emphasise the mediocre quality of the script and direction.

© James Travers 2005

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