Film Review
Michel Blanc, one of France's most popular actors, best remembered for his
hilarious turns in the
Bronzés films,
returns to the director's seat for a fourth time to deliver this lively ensemble comedy centred on that
most deadly serious of French activities, the summer holiday. After
the fairly disappointing
Mauvaise passe (1999),
Embrassez qui vous voudrez is an enjoyable romp that throws a big name
cast (headed by a superb Charlotte Rampling) at a well-constructed and witty script,
with Blanc finally proving himself
to be an extremely proficient film director.
The wealth of talent on display makes this a rich mosaic in which human relationships
are skilfully dissected with sensitivity, acuity and a certain amount of justifiable brutality.
Whilst the film makes you laugh, it also makes you reflect on the injustice and absurdity
of human existence. None of the characters in the film seems capable of finding
fulfilment in their love lifes, yet all are willing slaves to their unbridled sexuality.
The situations and characters may be a little over-the-top, but there is more than a grain
of truth in what we see. Essentially,
Embrassez qui vous voudrez is
a pretty damn honest reflection of life as we now live it. We may have more opportunities
and greater prosperity than previous generations, but if the result is a more fragmented,
less coherent and less satisfying way of life, can we ever be happier? The
film's French title is both provocative and ironic, reminding us how devalued romantic
love has become in this fully liberated, live-for-the-present, throwaway society of ours.
© James Travers 2003
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Michel Blanc film:
Marche à l'ombre (1984)
Film Synopsis
After a stressful year, Elizabeth Lannier is looking forward to her holiday in Le Touquet.
When she learns that her best friend Véro will be staying in the same town, she
suggests they spend their holiday together. Véro agrees but must somehow
keep from her friend the fact that, since her husband Jérôme lost his job,
she is feeling the squeeze financially. At the last minute Elizabeth learns that
her husband cannot accompany her - he says he is too occupied with his work, but in reality
he is having an affair with a transsexual. In addition, her daughter, Emilie, has
decided to take a holiday in the United States, with - unbeknown to her parents - one
of her father's employees, Kevin. With a bed going spare, Elizabeth invites one
of her friends, Julie, to stay with her, with her baby. Julie is something
of a nymphomaniac who always ends up with the wrong man. It happens again.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth has made friends with Lulu, an attractive lawyer whose husband Jean-Pierre
is convinced that she is cheating on him. With the holiday in Le Touquet rapidly
turning into a disaster, Elizabeth invites all of her friends to a garden party at her
home. If she is expecting everything to resolve itself nicely, she is in for a nasty
surprise...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.