En liberté!

If you need a burlesque action comedy, "En Liberté!" is for you. From the beginning, it's full of action and crazy ideas, and constant surprises. The casting is absolutely top : especially Pio Marmaï as the framed innocent coming out of jail where he became crazy, the divine Adèle Haenel as the wife of the policeman who framed the innocent and tries to help him and Damien Bonnard falling in love with Adèle ; and Vincent Bossuet as the policeman's kid ... Don't miss that rich inventive punchy movie, also with great music (with two legendary groups). Pierre Salvadori did a fine work with his team, bravo.

The basic premise of the story and developments are on this IMDb page summary for this movie. It features good actors who play their roles very well. Although it is made by completely different filmmakers, in tone and quirkiness it often reminded me of "Amelie", and it even has Audrey Tautou playing one of the characters.

Not all of it worked for me but enough of it did that I overall enjoyed this movie, at home on DVD from my public library. I know a little French and reading English subtitles was not too much of a bother.

Good change of pace from American movies I mostly watch.

The critic review here says "This movie is a very mixed bag. There are a good number of quite funny bits, and thanks to Audrey Tautou in a supporting role, a couple of genuinely touching moments. But the actions and reactions of the two main characters make absolutely no psychological sense at all, ever. If that doesn't put you off, then by all means see this movie for the many funny gags." I couldn't agree more. My wife would have given it a minus so would my friend. His wife had a good time with it and I ,(the French man), was rather perplex about it. The gags were few and far from each others (yes I would not say either 'good number). I differ with the critic thinking that A Tautou was under used, so much for the support! But even if it did not much for me I found it quite original and thought it would be up some people's alley. My memory is not the best by now as such don't ask me about 'en liberte' tomorrow I won't remember it... if you know what I mean! PS Again you could not spoil it, it did a good job at it itself

Yvonne (Adèle Haenel), a young police inspector, discovers that her husband, Captain Santi (Vincent Elbaz), was not the brave and honest police officer she believed him to be, but a complete fraud. Determined to make amends for the mistakes he made, she crosses paths with Antoine (Pio Marmaï), who was unjustly arrested by Santi and sentenced to eight years. This unexpected and crazy encounter will change both of their lives forever...

Very enjoyable, another excellent French production, that comedy in homeopathic doses but deliciously administered with a different sense of humor, the characters are super captivating, even the supporting characters, like the trio of security guards and the serial killer dismembering the police station, among others... Light on the drama, fun and well orchestrated in the police story, fake romance... And in the end, finally free, both protagonists, in their own way, and without further explanation, free... Lovely...

This movie is a very mixed bag. There are a good number of quite funny bits, and thanks to Audrey Tautou in a supporting role, a couple of genuinely touching moments. But the actions and reactions of the two main characters make absolutely no psychological sense at all, ever. If that doesn't put you off, then by all means see this movie for the many funny gags.