Moitié-moitié (1989)

Moitié-moitié is a French film comedy-drama first released in 1989, directed by Paul Boujenah.  The film stars Michel Boujenah, Zabou Breitman, Jean-Pierre Bisson, Janine Darcey and Ged Marlon.  It has also been released under the title: Fifty-Fifty.  Our overall rating for this film is: good.


Modest shop assistant Arthur is shocked when he hears that his adopted grandmother has died in a car accident.  He gives up his job and his girlfriend and heads straight for her sprawling family estate, for which he holds a special affection.  Arthur is delighted to hear that his grandmother has bequeathed the estate equally to him and her true granddaughter, Sarah.  Unfortunately, Sarah, now a successful businesswoman, plans to demolish the house and build a modern complex on its site.  Appalled, Arthur will do anything to thwart her plans…

This engaging comedy-drama stars Michel Boujenah and Zabou, two very likeable actors who have a pleasing on-screen chemistry and great comic timing.  Whilst the plot is a little pedestrian, the ending a bit too predictable, the script does contain some irresistibly funny comic situations and the film is, overall, curiously satisfying.  The sunny photography adds a touch of wistful poignancy to offset the comedy, beautifully complementing Michel Boujenah’s sympathetic tragicomic characterisation.


© James Travers 2005

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