L'Heureuse élue

I had the chance to see this film at a preview screening, and I'm glad I didn't have to pay for it because it was truly mediocre. Starting with the worst part: the script is completely hollow, and the humor is just dumb, lacking any trace of wit. Vulgarity is omnipresent, which wouldn't be an issue if there were at least some subtlety, but no, it's just vulgarity for the sake of vulgarity, likely aimed at pleasing a certain type of audience. In short, there isn't much to say about this French comedy. Of course, Michèle Laroque and Gérard Darmon are seasoned actors with nothing left to prove, but what were they doing in this disaster? The pleasant surprise, however, is the lead male actor, whom I didn't know before, but he delivers a solid performance and adds a bit of value to the film. Another thing I enjoyed were the opening scenes with the kidnappers, which were well-shot, but unfortunately, the rest of the film didn't follow through.

This movie was extremely simple-minded and vulgar, which made it feel like an American comedy. I can see an American remake in its future. This was quite refreshing for a French comedy, even though it is not the type that I prefer. French comedies generally start out funny and suddenly turn dead serious before the end. Not this one. Nobody has a hidden facet -- Benoît remains awkward and cowardly from start to finish. His siblings are greedy and pure evil. The fake fiancée has no social graces from start to finish. Only the parents are the same standard rich and confused couple that you see in most French comedies. They were the least interesting because their arc is totally predictable in such movies. I'm glad that I have an unlimited movie pass, though, because ticket prices have become so high at the cinema that I would have been unhappy to have spent much money on this. Its future will be as the standard Sunday night movie on French television.