Mein Liebhaber, der Esel und ich

From the opening frame this film had me . Quirky delightful engaging Antoinette takes off on what is first a stalking hiking holiday But gains so much more the scenery is unbelievable . And it followes the hiking trail of Robert Louis Stevenson The adorable donkey will win over any cold heart . Laughter all the way through with great comic timing.

This charming, bucolic comedy is undeniably the most beautiful surprise that French cinema has given us lately. At times, it made me think of 'Wild' (with Reese Witherspoon), but without the dramatic side of it. It's more a 'light' comedy, with a 'screwball' side to it. Caroline Vignal initiates a dialogue with Stevenson's own novel, 'Travels With a Donkey in the Cévennes', a book that has since become one of the pillars of modern 'travel literature' and that is linked with the emotional journey of Antoinette. The latter is played by Laure Calamy who finds with this project her first leading role that allows her to fully display her tremendous acting skills. In addition of being in every frames and frequently alone on the screen, facing an imperturbable donkey, she composes a complex comic performance. Oftenly funny without ever appearing like an idiot, she succeeds to express, between her moments of touching clumsiness, a strong sensitivity though marvelously avoiding any boring lament tirades. My Donkey, My Lover & I is a very sweet portrait of a very likeable human being, and her sincere energy is so irresistible you can only follow her in her great journey.

"Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's "Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes", MY DONKEY, MY LOVER & I revamps the story to the modern day, schoolteacher Antoinette (Calamy) impulsively takes the hiking trip in the Cévennes hoping to track down her married lover Vladimir (Lavernhe), who vacations with his family in the environs. Paired with a donkey named Patrick, Antoinette must learn to maneuver her mulish traveling companion all by herself. One of the film's successes can be contributed to the funny two-play between Antoinette and Patrick (actually played by two different donkeys, one meek, the other refractory), the hiking provides a conduit for Antoinette to speak out loud of her relationship with Vladimir, to vent out the whys and wherefores of staying in an extramarital affair, actually Vignal's script provides enough insight to make Antoinette's choice plausible."

read my full review on my blog: Cinema Omnivore, thanks.

A sweet little movie and a couple of things you may not know about Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll and Mister Hyde. Beautiful landscapes and gentle people all around in this dreamy production.

Strong script, well acted, beautiful mountain scenery, great original music... some very funny moments, and some intelligent insights. Highly recommended.