Plan Cœur

This was a fun, heartfelt and cute story about friendship, trust and unconventional love. One thing I appreciated was that the side characters weren't just empty shells, whose only purpose is for the main characters to have someone to rant to. No, they had their own smaller plots, with their own problems and quirks. Honestly, my biggest problems with it were the tropes and the clichés, but hey it's a rom-com series so what else can you expect? Also, the main character Elsa is a little bit annoying but it doesn't matter really because the writing, acting and storyline is very good. It kept me hooked all the way through! I'm not a person who binge-watches shows (because I have a very short attention span) but I finished Plan Coeur in 1 day! I definitely recommend it, it's a very cute, entertaining and fun show.

Elsa (Zita Hanrot) has just left her darling after discovering he has an affair. When she also uncovers that they will soon be married, it is then total depression. She completely loses her self-confidence and becomes a real wreck. Her two best friends are Émilie (Joséphine Draï) who is a stifling and irritating woman and Charlotte (Sabrina Ouazani) who is a hot and sexy woman despite her voice of Mike Tyson. These two friends will have the idea as wacky as ludicrous to hire Jules, a handsome man (Marc Ruchmann) who will play the role of a male prostitute (this is actually his everyday job) without Elsa being aware of the trickery, so that she may regain confidence in herself. And what was to happen ... will happen!

It's invigorating and well played, especially with Zita Hanrot who is excellent, as usual. If you liked her in this role as depressive as irresistible, I recommend you one of her first films Fatima (2015) and one of her last La Vie scolaire (2019) that I already saw early July, in preview. In addition, Paris is well highlighted, between the Hôtel de ville and the Île Saint-Louis.

As a synthesis, 6/7 of 10

I honestly only decided to watch this show out of boredom. After the first episode I was hooked because the first season is light, coherent and well I love romance. The characters are not intellectual like it happens in so many French films. The show is for pure entertainment and those who love love stories.

However the second season is terrible! Everything happens in a hurry. The characters are beyond childish, selfish and senseless. It seemed like the writers had way too many ideas and didn't know how to put them together. The story doesn't make much sense. It's like those romantic comedies where everything happens in 24 hours. I was very disappointed with the second season. Gladly there a happy ending so I believe there won't be another season. At least I hope so!

If you are bored and don't want to think much, go for it but if you are looking for something with content that might give you a new perspective, don't bother.

I initially gave 9 stars as SEASON 1 of The Hook Up Plan was a pleasant surprise. Witty, intelligent, and enjoyable. Excellent acting and far more believable than your typical romantic-comedy type TV show. Characters were multidimensional, episodes were coherent, soundtrack was good, and the Parisian scenery is always a delight to look at. The fact that I laughed out loud several times while watching a French series with English subtitles means the humor translates very well. Also, this might be a bit vapid - but the actors were all quite attractive in somewhat unconventional ways which gives this show that extra boost in my opinion.

Fast forward to Season 2 and I was left rather disappointed, hence my new review and lower rating. Lots of irrational, borderline bizarre behavior among the characters made the show loose a lot of its realistic and relatable appeal. Everything felt rushed, incoherent, and definitely lacked the original humor and cinematic creativity from the first season. It was still alright to watch but unfortunately not as entertaining or memorable as the first season.

I watched it in original French, with English subtitles. It makes HUGE difference in perception. Generations B and X would hate it, Generation Y might like it. Generation Z would easily get hooked. The way it starts, Episode 1, is a put off. But if you stick, it gets better. Season 1 was much better than Season 2-lots of silliness that I didn't like. Season 1-7 stars, Season 2-5 stars. Acting was great, as expected from French Cinema. Sabrina Ouazani' voice is quite unique. Overall it is entertaining, humor is sharp and I don't agree with those who say it is full of cliches.