O Mistério de Henri Pick

I absolutely loved this movie, from the beginning till the end. It's about a book written by Mr. Pick. A tv critic doubts the authenticity of this book, so he will investigate everything about Mr. Pick's life.

I loved this improbable encounter between: 1) Fabrice Luchini as a literary critic at first pedantic and unpleasant, then sensitive, facetious and pertinent after receiving 2 strong slaps (figuratively but legitimately and almost concomitantly), 2) Marie-Christine Orry as a librarian deep in Brittany, with her unforgettable voice, 3) Bastien Bouillon as a young writer lacking in gratitude and then self-confidence, 4) Camille Cottin as a spontaneous but moderately cheerful Breton woman, 5) ... (not-exhaustive list).

What an intelligent entertainment, without forgetting of course the sumptuous landscapes of Brittany!

The storyline idea is original but the film rambles on too long to keep the attention of the viewer.

Certain outcomes are obvious but the ending is unexpected albeit a bit long winded.

Agatha Christie need not worry.

The film is an essay into existentialism on people deciding what reality is. The eponymous character is someone who simply lived life. Fabrice Lucchini is brilliant as the thorny antagonist who cannot believe what other people want to believe. In the quest to speak the truth the edifice of his life crumbles away and he apparently wants to do the same with others. This surface of the film works hand in glove with the nature of mysteries. Why can some people see a mystery and others cannot? Why do other people give a blank no or just not care? The solution of the mystery can be anti-climactic due to the what now factor. The film's gentle nudge at the end that existence goes on reflects upon us all as Henri Pick.

There's a library in a French provincial town that holds the manuscripts refused by the publishers. Among those lies a book of gold - a novel that resonates with the public and becomes a bestseller. The author is Henri Pick - a man who hadn't been seen writing or reading a novel in his life time. When famous literary critic (Fabrice Luchini) claims Henri Pick had not actually written the book the public is enraged. As a result he loses his tv job and his marriage. It is now an obsession for him to prove he was right and he embarks on a hilarious journey to find the truth.

Fabrice Luchini is fantastic in the main role of literary critic gone astray, the role feels written specifically for him. If the film was made in the 80's the role could be played by Pierre Richard. Just like Richard, Luchini has a perfect balance of hilarious and dramatic and the film draws on this talent in every frame he is in.

Part intellectual mystery, part comedy, part love story, part a serious dwelling on what it means to be an artist THE MYSTERY OF HENRI PICK is almost a perfect movie. In a country where 90% of people read extensively and 70% attempt to write the next great French novel the film exist in a parallel universe from most overseas viewers. Who cares about a book unless it's Game Of Thrones or Harry Potter? But this suspension of disbelief is easy to overcome with engaging characters and quirky dialog.

The script is focused, inventive and delivers a perfect ending. It definitely tricked me. Supported by a cheeky and slightly frantic score from a young (but also a veteran in his own way) French musician Laurent Perez Del Mar, THE MYSTERY OF HENRY PICK is the best French Cinema has to offer. As much tongue in the cheek as it is serious, this is an intellectual mystery and a guilty pleasure in one!