Jean-Philippe

I didn't expect to be blown away by this film, but i expected a good time. I thought that the topic was somewhat original, and the trailers seemed promising. Alas, once you've seen the trailers, you've pretty much seen the funny parts already. While this film isn't bad it kind of get cheesy at times. Johnny plays Johnny and not Jean-Philippe, a character that should have been more developed, the story is ill conceived and the end is plain silly. Add that cheesiness to a very bad song that closes the film and you somehow regret you paid 8,50 euros to have seen it. I heard the Americans are already on it to buy the rights and have thought to make their movie revolving around Madonna or Springsteen. For once i think the American version has a good chance to be better than the original at least. I also enjoyed "true lies" better than "La totale" though.

Just seen this film on a long flight like a previous commentator. Know Lucchini as an actor who I can't abide but who makes good, perhaps great, films. Saw L'Homme du Train and was surprised by Hallyday but all rock stars have one good film in them (performance, The man who fell to earth, o lucky man, PG and Billy the Kid etc). But I found myself being utterly seduced by this film. There are twists and turns that are far too cute but the film just survives them. Hollywood claims to be the capital of feel-good sentimentality but I'm afraid, as in too many things but not as many as the French think, this trumps those films with Gallic ease. This will join 'Le Bonheur est dans le pre' as one of those films to reach for when the none too subtle indignities of everyday life reach an intensity that some sort of brief and simple escape is necessary. I've even started to listen to Hallyday's songs! For this film to have had such an extreme effect it must be at least bearable.

Fabrice Lucchini is a frail-looking, slightly manic, literary type who is perfectly capable of doing highly successful one-man shows where he reads poetry. Casting him as a middle-class washout whose sole passion is the music of a 60-year-old rocker sounds odd, but it works.

And one night Fabrice (both the lead characters use their real first names in the film. There may or may not be a reason for this) takes a bump to the back of his head and wakes up in a parallel universe where his idol, Johnny, never made it to the French equivalent of "Opportunity Knocks", was never Discovered, never became a star...

Johnny Hallyday is the stage name of one Jean-Philippe Smet (hence the title). Think of him as,say, the French equivalent of Cliff Richard. Still going strong at 60, whether or not you like his music you have to recognise he has undeniable talent as a musician. He also turns in quite a creditable performance for the film, and is a realistic counterweight to the effervescent Lucchini.

The film is a pleasant, and eminently watchable, comedy. There are plenty of good jokes, although those who don't follow French popular culture might miss one or two references. It shouldn't spoil the film. Enjoy.

I read in the comments the right were bought for an American remake? WOW cashing on a pop-star is easy just everywhere.

A few good moments, a few funny moments too and a remarkably good performance from Johnny as acting is not his thing. To set the whole film on the shoulders of someone who is not an actor and who just did a few cameos and guest star appearances is a proof of courage.

Fabrice Luccini is just... himself and for some people pretty annoying, but sort of okay here.

If you can watch it on a plane, OK keep your eyes open for the first half. Don't make the mistake of buying it unless you're a big big fan of Johnny.

For Johnny it shows that he may get further on the silver screen, and without doing what Miss Hilton did.

The screenplay boasts one of the best ideas of the year: knowing Hallyday's popularity -whatever you may think of his talents as a singer-in France ,you cannot imagine the second half of the 20th century without him for a French (and I mean:for a French).As an user has smartly pointed it out ,it's America without Elvis.And England without Cliff Richard.And the world without the Beatles!!! I would not be surprised if they made a remake some day .

As an user writes,Johnny is definitely not an actor.But Fabrice Lucchini is one of the best thespians of his generation.It is not enough: the first part is,at a pinch,interesting,but things peter out afterward:the ending is disappointing to a fault.We are waiting for an unexpected end ,for something weird and we are left with almost nothing.

The macho touch: in the real world, it's the woman who prepares the coffee at the office;but in the "parallel " one ,the "abnormal" universe where the idol Johnny never existed ,the roles reverse.

Johnny's fans will be overjoyed.The others can move on.