L'Origine du Monde

A refreshingly funny film that deals with both slapstick and existential questions, with superb acting all around. Forget Hollywood for a moment and enjoy this French pastry. The title of the film comes from a very famous erotic painting from the Victorian era.

An adaptation of an apparently very well known play which was inspired by the famous painting of the same name, this is now on Netflix but I hope that doesn't potentially put anyone off, and I think they just bought the distribution rights anyway. It centres around how fortysomething lawyer Jean-Louis one day notices that his heart has stopped beating, and after consulting a vet friend and speaking to his wife's lifestyle guru Margaux, he believes he has three days to either see or take a picture of his elderly mother's vagina or he will die.

Despite the fantastical set up it's grounded in reality, as it mixes farce with a hint of comedy of manners and makes a fair few observations about the lives of these individuals, and it plays out perfectly, this is one of the funniest films I've seen in a long time. In a very slight, minor way, it occasionally reminded me of a French version of Seinfeld, albeit without a Kramer type figure, and not just because one of the characters looks a little George-esque, and that's meant as a compliment of the highest order too as the three main leads do their very best to carry out the ridiculous plans they devise.

It's best watched going in knowing as little as possible so I'd avoid the trailer, and I really think this is an absolute must see, I know that my overhyping it might lead to high expectations but I'd be very surprised if this doesn't make it in to my Top 10 favourite films of the year come the end of December.

Insane. Some uncomfortable - very uncomfortable - moments. Also, some dull sections. But some screamingly funny moments. But, as in most good works, the desire to find out what ultimately happens keeps you watching (or reading, in the case of books). Definitely the case here (imho). The subtitle of this movie (or perhaps the original title in French?) is "The Origin of the World", a famous painting by Courbet, which pretty much describes the issue that the film is about. Not 10 stars because it's fundamentally absurd (and there were some slow moments).

Tired of comedies with similar storyline ?

Well, you will be in for a refreshing treat with this French comedy!

Careful, though, as it is VERY different !!!

Great casting.

I enjoyed this film. I'm not French but I get the humor. It's really funny the way Jean-Louis, Valerie and Michel conspire to obtain a non-digital photo of Jean-Louis' "origin." And dear Brigitte's unintended revelations are the piece de resistance. Surely, Helene Vincent is the darling of the show.

This film is an example of comedy as fine art.