Un plan parfait

Watched this on DVD last night, and will be buying it. Why change the title to 'fly me to the moon'? - nothing wrong with the original. This is a ridiculous film, a laugh out loud in places film, and has excellent cast and scenery. I liked the way that the story was built up slowly from the wailing guest at Christmas dinner, and evolved gently. The French absolutely know comedy and while it may get a bit wacky at times, and beyond belief (think Lion), it's fun, and total escapism. I don't like this 10 line rule at all - especially when one reads other reviews that are much shorter. Online space isn't infinite you know? In all, an excellent film which has nothing offensive, caters for those with love of the absurd and is entertaining.

It is a stylish and mildly diverting romantic comedy that, despite a charming lead performance, never quite rises above its predictable premise. The film follows a woman who, to break a family curse, devises an elaborate scheme to marry and divorce a complete stranger before she can marry the man she loves. The quirky premise, while a solid foundation for a fun caper, is ultimately undone by a narrative that feels too familiar and safe.

Diane Kruger is delightful in the central role, showcasing a comedic talent that is both sophisticated and endearing. Her chemistry with co-star Dany Boon is palpable and provides the film's most engaging moments. However, the plot unfolds exactly as you would expect, with every twist and turn visible from a mile away. The film relies heavily on romantic comedy tropes, delivering a series of predictable misunderstandings and heartfelt declarations that feel more obligatory than earned. It's a beautifully shot and acted film that plays it far too safe.

Is it worth watching? Yes, for a light, feel-good romantic comedy, but don't expect anything new.

In Paris, Corinne "Coco" (Alice Pol) brings her chief Valérie (Laure Calamy) to spend the Christmas Eve with her family. Valérie is depressed since she is newly divorced and Coco decides to tell the story of her sister Isabelle (Diane Kruger) to Valérie to cheer her up. Isabelle is a dentist that has been living with and working in the same office of her boyfriend Pierre (Robert Plagnol) for ten years. When they decide to get married, Isabelle and Coco are worried about the family curse that every first marriage ends in divorce. Isabelle and Coco arrange a marriage for Isabelle with a student in Copenhagen so that she can immediately divorce to marry Pierre to live happily ever after.

In the flight, Isabelle meets the inconvenient free-spirited tourism columnist Jean-Yves (Dany Boon) that is traveling to Kenya. When the student does not show up, Isabelle decides to travel to Kenya to marry Jean-Yves. She has the chance when they travel to visit a Masai people when they get married. Isabelle returns to Paris and when she goes to schedule her wedding with Pierre, she discovers that Jean-Yves has registered his Masai wedding certificate in Paris. Now Isabelle travels to Moscow expecting to force Jean-Yves to sign the divorce papers. Will she succeed in her intent?

"Un plan parfait" is a charming movie with a silly premise. The idea of the family curse and the attitude of a clever woman like Isabelle traveling to Denmark first and Kenya later to get married and a quick divorce after is ridiculous. But Diane Kruger is a gorgeous, talented and charming actress and her chemistry with Dany Boon makes the movie work despite the premise. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Um Plano Perfeito" ("A Perfect Plan")

Lately the French have a kind of patent on good comedies. Daniel Boon is very good in this role, we know him of Welcome to the North or Nothing to Declare and also in this movie he is superb. In Un Plan Parfait we have although some really absurd situations which let you laugh loud out. They are never disturbing and it is one of those movies that you laugh quite a lot, of course if you like the Daniel Boon movies. The 2 actors do the part of the beauty and the beast and the romance is total. I had a real good time with this movie and left the theater with a smile on my face and with a good feeling. The subject is absurd and the situations as well, so don't expect any reality in it. The jokes have a good setup and are not boring at all. Like I already said, the French have a good sense of humor, even when the movies have different targets like this one or the Intouchable. This movie cannot be compared although with the Intouchable due to the subject and contents of the Intouchable, which is quite serious and subtle.

The two main actors make a difference in this delightful romantic comedy, Dany Boon revealing once again his comic verve and the algid Diane Kruger proving an unsuspected comic side, and supporting the role of Boon very effectively. The story may lack some cohesion , being more a sequence of isolated funny moments, rather than a development of a story, although the flashback storytelling tries to give unity to the plot. The characters, especially Isabelle, are little developed and change abruptly without much coherence. However, some truly comic moments are to be appreciated and these are the best moments and the set piece of the picture, which can offer two hours of entertainment, together with some exotic charm of its settings.