Um Amor à Altura

Digital effects and camera tricks have come a far way. Someone most definitely took a page out of the LotR and Hobbit movies on how to shoot a normal sized person with others, for the prior to appear like a small person. And it's nice to see someone as charismatic as Dujardin struggling because of his size. You see it does matter after all - or maybe it doesn't? The movie will provide the answer.

Public perspective may not be everything, but it's not shallow if you do care about the people around you and what you look like. Of course it is way more important to feel good about yourself in the first place. It that isn't the case, you are not even halfway there. It's nicely build up and while we go through the (expected) motions, we can still have fun watching this. Not a great movie, but a nice one ...

Laurent Tirard's film certainly boasts an interesting premise and has a certain amount of fun subverting expectation early on.But it quickly settles into a routine rom-com format.

This is the classic French romcom with a twist. A dashing architect and a big girl lawyer fall in love with each other. Who wouldn't, they've got everything going for them, so much so that it's sheer willpower that keeps them from falling heels over head in love with themselves. And every man should take a few pointers from Alexandre how to properly woo a woman. The only hitch is that this French lover stands barely 1,40 m tall. Although this predicament is obvious from the start, and I felt a bit nauseous about how truly wonderful Alexandre is (he's great at anything), the movie still provides a lot of momentum and keeps the story going. It's especially fun to watch how they make the 1,82 m tall actor Jean Dujardin appear to be only 1,36 m tall by a number of old school tricks (his counterpart Diane (Virginie Efira) standing on a box, or Jean Dujardin kneeling) and CGI (green screen).

Up for love is a movie about Alexandre, a little man that with his charming and gallant attitude tries to win the heart of equally charming and pretty Diana. I felt identified with Alexandre, since in the past I had a girlfriend that was taller than me xD

The movie focus a little in the socially acceptable side of the relationship without becoming too serious. It also has a few funny moments here and there. I think the best of the film is the performance of both actors, but I specially like Virginie's Efira portrayal of Diana.

Finally, it has been a long time since I don't see a delightful movie like this, and Up for Love becomes like an oasis in the middle of Hollywood blockbuster movies that I usually end up watching. I enjoyed it a lot.

First the long review from the other is not fair. It sounds like someone who admits being shorter is an issue. So can be being taller than the average. We are dealing with an Oscar winner and some really clever movie tricks and set design etc that is what is to appreciated also and the creativity and fun to show it. I don't want to spoil it but I find it has a general positive attitude. It teaches us to appreciate what's between the two ears and maybe legs also as it often does not match the rest of the body automatically. I have met several people who needed injections to grow, very costly treatments that maybe could have been approached in the movie also. See it and make up your own opinion.