Um Amor Inesperado

Romcom's often tend to bore me these days but I feel pretty lucky that french TV sometimes show little gems like this one. I don't remember having heard of it in 2005 when it came out, but apparently it was only showing on around 250 screens in all of France. This is the first time that Clovis Cornillac (great in "Le Cactus" 2005) directed a film, and I have to admit he's set the bar quite high for a first shot. His wife Lilou Fogli wrote with him the scenario but also stars as Charlotte, a secondary role very well played. In fact the secondary rolls are spot on and are as good as the lead actors (Mélanie Bernier and Clovis Cornillac), who do a sort of blind duet I won't say more about the story. Cornillac comes from a family of actors, it runs in his blood and you can see that he's a passionate actor in every film, as he doesn't act his role but literally lives it.

I highly recommend you find a DVD, which is what I'm about to do as soon as I've finished this review.

At points it reminds me of 'Les émotifs anonymes.' There are unbelievable parts, but once this disbelief is suspended it becomes a charming and lovely film.

I am not going to write what the film is about ... because I don't want to spoil it for anyone else. Bored to tears with inane, soulless action movies - I want something that either makes me think, or makes me feel good.

So, all I am going to say is that this is the best film I have seen for years. No cops, no car chases, no daft stunts - just a charming story told in a way that completely involves you (well, it did me).

I cannot recommend it highly enough. I saw Girl on a Train on Saturday and fell asleep in the first half hour. Blind Date I didn't want to end.

This is a very simple and engaging french film. A very shy young pianist moves to her own apartment that's separated by a paper thin wall from another one (in another building) inhabited by a hermit (almost) game designer.

The plot is thin, but the acting's great and you really become interested in the characters. Also quite a wry comment on how our very "open" society in effect isolates people by the overuse of gadgets (read smartphones).

Anyhow, the main characters find that to have an essential connection one doesn't need to be in front of another person.

Secondary actors are also great and there are many funny and endearing moments.

Really should be seen...

Un peu, beaucoup, aveuglément (a.k.a Blind Date) is a simple romantic comedy largely for people who are Introverts. The Premise is simple: An Introvert lady has just moved in her new apartment where she forms an unexpected bond with her neighbour, a puzzle maker (who largely stays away from people) by not meeting & just communicating through walls of their rooms. The movie is also available on Netflix. It is a good watch, a rather refreshing take on the romantic-comedy genre.