Une affaire qui roule (2003) - film review

Frustrated by his job as a chef in a mundane restaurant, Jean-Jacques hands in his apron and sets about trying to find the money he needs to open his own high-class eatery.  Despite the encouragement of well-meaning friends, Jean-Jacques’ efforts to find the necessary cash prove futile, so he decides to attend a class on how to start a new business, which is run by Claude.  The latter also hates his job and gives it up so that he can start writing his first novel.  Like Jean-Jacques, Claude has difficulty getting his new venture off the ground…

Une affaire qui roule is another wry yet incisive comedy-drama from writer-director Eric Veniard.  Compared with some of Veniard’s previous films, there are very few characters in this film, something which gives it greater focus and makes it far more accessible.  Each of the film’s talented lead actors, Clovis Cornillac and Denis Podalydès, turn in a sympathetic performance, carrying off the tongue-in-cheek comedy effectively, without reducing it to cheap farce.  Whilst the plot is lacking in originality and includes some lamentable stereotypes (yes, all airline stewards are gay apparently), Veniard’s refreshingly unpolished direction and distinctive style of comedy makes this an attractive character-centric little gem of a film.

© James Travers 2004

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