The film runs almost two hours, which is one hour too many. Daniel Auteuil (Antoine) somehow saves (but what is to be saved?) the day, because he is a good actor, and it's always a pleasure to see him on the screen. But what is he doing in such a film? Maybe he was short of money to pay the mortgage?
The film starts well, showing interesting possibilities in the hand of a good director, but especially a good scenarist. However, it soon looses its way, becomes repetitive, and after about one hour, one wishes Jose Garcia (Louis) had succeeded in hanging himself, at the beginning of the film: it would have been an act of mercy for Louis and for the audience. The laughs are few and far in between. The only situation of any comical value is Andre's visit to Louis' grand mother. And let's not forget the only funny exchange in the film:
Antoine:"How's the chicken?"
Louis: "Dead."
And that's as good as it gets...
The film starts well, showing interesting possibilities in the hand of a good director, but especially a good scenarist. However, it soon looses its way, becomes repetitive, and after about one hour, one wishes Jose Garcia (Louis) had succeeded in hanging himself, at the beginning of the film: it would have been an act of mercy for Louis and for the audience. The laughs are few and far in between. The only situation of any comical value is Andre's visit to Louis' grand mother. And let's not forget the only funny exchange in the film:
Antoine:"How's the chicken?"
Louis: "Dead."
And that's as good as it gets...