Le concierge du Bradbury

Someone could have knocked me over w a feather, after having read on IMDb that, this movie maxed out at an estimated budget of $30m yet only grossed worldwide a little over $10m. As a self-professing film connoisseur, this movie ranks in the top 25 personal favorite movies (produced during course of my generation).

Yes, this is a dated movie & yes there's likely not a more entertaining & practical way, for demonstrating to individuals (especially millennials), the true art for possessing altruistic & authentic concern for others, service-related employment {e.g. customer service}. And, yes as a fellow business owner, there's an instant affinity to this type genre..., but this flick is a serious amalgamation of great writing & exceptional acting that's, collided w talented direction, scoring & editing.

Popcorn please (extra butter)...

In NYC, Doug Ireland (Michael J. Fox) is a master of deals as concierge in the classy Bradbury hotel. He has a heart of gold protecting some of the older workers from manager Mr. Himmelman. He even takes care of a cheapskate guest like Harry Wegman. Ed Drinkwater from the IRS is on his case. He dreams of owning his own hotel and he hopes billionaire investor Christian Hanover is his ticket. He is infatuated with store perfume girl Andy Hart (Gabrielle Anwar) who claims to have a boyfriend. It turns out she's Hanover's mistress and he's forced to cover for Hanover as he needs the deal more.

This is a barely functional romance. It's mostly riding on the shoulders of Michael J. Fox and he's plenty charming by himself. The romance is questionable. It's not well set up and a bit more back story could have helped. The villain is underwhelming. Overall this is a watchable and unimpressive rom-com.

This is one of the few additions in the vast boring arena of calm romantic comedies that's worth a watch in a relaxing mind. I really like Michael J. Fox as an actor and I think he's done a good job here. It's a pity a versatile actor such as him has decided not to make any movies further. Gabrielle Anwar ("Body Snatchers") also looks and acts quite nicely.

The story, however, has no surprise elements, it's told for like thousand times. But still, due to smart screenplay and decent acting by the two lead actors, the film never gets tiresome to watch. And the funny parts, if not hilarious, not irritating either and fit nicely with the film's quiet mood.

This film may be a very run-of-the-mill, everyday Romantic Comedy but thanks to the performances of Michael J. Fox and Gabrielle Anwar, apart from the singing, it ends up as a deeply entertaining and enjoyable movie to sit back and relax with a loved one over at the end of a tiring week.

This movie never actually got a video release in the U.K. which has greatly disappointed me and means I have to wait for its repeat appearance on TV in order to add it to my collection.

Nevertheless, Fox excels yet again and shows why he is one of the few American sitcom stars to make a prolonged impact in the movies in roles unlike his character from Family Ties. Anwar also gives another performance which leaves me increasingly baffled as to why she has not been used more in Hollywood.

See this movie, it may not have been a hit but it will surprise you with its quality just the same.

Michael J. Fox is the concierge Doug Ireland and Gabrielle Anwar plays the woman he loves in Barry Sonnenfeld film For Love or Money (1993).The acting work is superb.The chemistry really works between the main stars.Fyvush Finkel is also great playing Milton Glickman.This is a nice comedy.It's not perfect but it's nice.Michael J. Fox is great in the lead.This isn't his best movie but he does a great job.This brilliant actor just received a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.It was just about time.Fox retired from acting in 2000 because of Parkinson's disease but I surely hope he will recover someday and return to acting. But before that enjoy his working in movies like For Love or Money.